TLK 4; Seeds of goodness Part four: Realm of Darkness Legal note: All characters in this story are © to me, Sigurd Engerström. I would really like to hear what you thought about this story, please send a mail to Timba@inhell.com This is the fourth part of TLK IV, to fully understand it; you will have to read TLK III the legacy of Zira (all parts) and all previous parts of TLK IV Characters: Old: Timba: The exiled king of the pride lands Rasawah: Timba and Watabi's son Kikafu: one of Timba's twin sons, is now with Leesha in the pridelands Leesha: Aihatus daughter, also in Kubakis wrath Kubaki: An evil leopard that seized control over the pridelands Bob McMorris: A green human soldier controlled by Kubaki Aihatu: Leash's mother, exiled with Timba Kamu: one of the former rimlanders, exiled with Timba Bubby: the former major-domo of the pridelands Watabi: Rasawah's real mother Damu: Semi-evil blood-red lion Dizjuh: a lioness possessed by Dunsj Dunsj: an evil demon, have possessed Dizjuh Sibati: one of the first members of Kubakis pride Marhiza: queen of the deathlands New: Ba´koi: a former Jaw Lander (nick: Baky) Xiamu: another former Jaw Lander (nick: Xia) Fiziju: another former Jaw Lander (nick: Zihu) Kevee: another former Jaw Lander Madun: the cheetah goddess. Thezzin: a male serval Thaneta: one of Kubakis possessed leopardesses (ta-neh-hah) Anasti: one of Kubakis possessed leopardesses N'dina: a lioness cub Chitzikobe: a cheetress swamp-demon (ki-tzi-kho-be) Raeza: a deathlander warrior Maha: a deathlander warrior Ciha: a deathlander warrior Rai: son of Kubaki and Thaneta Character note: Timba can for some reason not use the letter "s" he uses "z" instead… "Maovu" Damu can't speak properly, so he might talk very strange And a p in parentheses means that the character is possessed (p) Chapters: C27: Dawn of a new dynasty C28: The pride of the Jaw lands C29: Divine meeting C30: Wayfarers meet C31: Hostile home C32: Allegiances C33: The Crescent pride C34: Xiamu's banishment C35: Refugees C36: The visitor in the night C37: Dizjuhs lie C38: Watabi's revelation C39: Integration into darkness C40: False sanctuary C41: Evil revelation C42: Mother and son C43: Closing vengeance C44: Villainous alliance C45: Silence before the Storm C46: Return to the Pridelands C47: Prince of the Pridelands C48: Completed circle C49: The new king Epilogue There is also a cheetah language that is used frequently… This little dictionary might help a bit on it, 'cause without it, it would be hard to understand what some characters, especially the cheetahs, say some times… Zhiech = thanks Yoah / Yobaduz = hi/hello Mizhk / naklat = goodbye Zibihi = lion Kobto = little/small Ninibi / ikaba / bathar = see you later Nam = my Nim = one Aka = two Zik = three Mira = tail _ Ki = I \ Akh = am ==(used only when introducing themselves) Kiah = I'm _ / Raka = poor Buko = stupid/idiot Azna = father/dad Faha = mother/mom Ban = yes Cot = no Kekaba = cheetah Bitikibi = love/lover/mate Ententa = spotted Tekahn = human/terran Rasaw = filthy / unclean (add a "ah" after and it means "filthy one") Uzuk = evil / twisted (+ "ah" and it means "evil one") Miak = pure / clean (+ "ah" and it means "pure one") Yet another note: The two human armies is called "the star of blue", "CNDB" or "blue" and "the hawk of green" or "green" Just to straighten a few question marks about what the humans say sometimes Chapter XXVII Dawn of a new dynasty The new king of the pridelands sat on the top of the mighty priderock and surveyed his new lands. Now and then he lifted his head towards the sky and clenched a paw towards it. Kubaki: [yells towards the sky] I know you can hear me! Look at me, and see what I have become! Look what you created! [Takes some deep breaths] Dad, it is all because of you… you never liked me, did you? You didn't want me as your heir, did you? DID YOU? His question was answered with a strong wind, witch slowly increased in strength until it almost blew the leopard of the rock… Kubaki: [yells higher] YOU HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT! His maniacal laughter laugh overcame the whistling sounds of the wind. The wind decreased after a while until it was gone. The leopard sat triumphant for a while before walking down the path that led to the ground and went into the den. Inside all of his minions were waiting for him. The two cubs and the human soldier were all asleep. Kubaki walked over to the human and saw that he was fast asleep, and then he went over to the two cubs and sat down beside them and watched them as they slept. He made a nod towards some of the lionesses, which immediately went over to him and began to clean his pelt. Kubaki: [thinking for himself] now I have everything I ever dreamt of… it is sure worth all that I have endured. I hope you can see me now, father. I hope you are proud of what you made me become. I have destroyed your bloodline. All that is left is two cubs… He cleared his throat and the lionesses stopped to groom him, then he looked down at the cubs again. Kubaki: [still thinking] I'm going to give them a fair chance to survive. I'm going to give them to the next female cat that enters my lands… He poked Leesha gently in her side, making her wake up. She began to shiver as soon as she saw him. He did the same to Kikafu, which also began to shiver when he saw the leopard. Kubaki sat calm and gave the cubs a half-hearted smile. Kubaki: [to the cubs] you hate me now, don't you? Well… you have every right to do that… The cubs did not dare to say anything to the leopard in front of them. Kubaki: you fear me, don't you? Leesha made some sort of nod as a reply. Kubaki: why do you fear me? Is it because I might kill you? The cubs stared wide-eyed at him; the fear was present in their gaze. Kubaki: so, you do? You shouldn't do that. It would never cross my mind to hurt a cub, because I'm not like your ancestors. They sent ME away as a cub; they did not give me a fair chance to survive. I did not know how to hunt or to fight. Doesn't that sound cruel to you? Kikafu nodded nervously. Kubaki: that's what I thought. Now you go back to sleep again. Tomorrow you will witness the birth of a righteous dynasty. The cubs did not to disobey him and fell asleep again. Kubaki sat for a while and looked at them with a weird kind of smile on his lips. Not far from the eastern border of the pridelands three lions sat with their heads lowered in sorrow. It was Timba, Aihatu and Kamu. They sat silent and paid their respects to their dead friends. After half an hour they rose to their paws and walked slowly away from their former kingdom under a tense silence. They continued for a long while before hunger made them stop. Aihatu: [sighs] let's catch something to eat… Kamu: I agree… They went on a hunt, and after some while they spotted a zebra herd. They found an old and weak zebra and brought it down quickly. When they had satisfied their hunger, they lay down to sleep, but none of them could get any rest. The memories of their beloved kept them awake. Since they couldn't sleep, they decided to continue eastwards. They did not get far due to exhaustion. Kamu was the first to fall together. Aihatu: Kamu… don't give up girl… Kamu: [extremely tired] I'm sorry… I can't take another step… She closed her eyes and fell asleep; Aihatu lifted her paw to prod Kamu but Timba held her paw back with his own. Timba: no… let her rezt… Aihatu: [sighs] ok… we could at least get her out of the sun. She looked around and saw a cave underneath a large tree. Aihatu: there's a cave over there… help me to get her there… Together they managed to drag the sleeping lioness to the cave and down into it. Then they also collapsed into sleep. Chapter XXVIII The Jaw pride Very early the next morning they woke up. And after some yawning and stretching of aching limbs they walked out from the cave they had slept in. They froze on their step when they saw four foreign lionesses stand and peer on them. One of the lionesses took a step forward. Lioness: ok, who are you and what's your business in the Jaw lands? Aihatu: I am Aihatu, and we are fleeing from our home… Lioness: [interrupts her] Quiet! [Peers on Aihatu] It doesn't matter… Aihatu: [scowls] Look here missy, I have been driven from my home twice now. And I don't want to be yelled at by some arrogant lioness… Lioness: Shut up! If you want to fight, then you're welcome. Nokata trained me personally… Aihatu: Nokata! Lioness2: yes… Nokata. Sounds like you know her… Aihatu: if I know her? She was a member of our pride! All of the four Jaw Landers stood speechless, unable to find anything to say for a couple of seconds. Lioness: She was? Do you know where she is now? Kamu: I'm sorry to tell it but… she's dead… Lioness2: aw man… Lioness3: how did she die? Aihatu: [sighs] she was killed in battle… The four Jaw Landers lowered their heads in sorrow. Lioness2: …may her soul rest in peace. Lioness: [nods and sighs] yes… [A short pause] well… Nokatas friends are our friends… so you're welcome to stay with us if you want… Timba: thank you… that'z very kind of you… Lioness: well… it's the least we can do… and, what where your names again? Aihatu: I am known as Aihatu… Timba: Timba aka-mira… Kamu: and I'm Kamu. Lioness: well… I'm sorry that I yelled at you… Aihatu… My name is Ba´koi. Lioness2: and mine's Fiziju. Lioness4: I am Kevee, and [points at the last lioness] that is Xiamu… she's a little shy… Ba´koi: … and we are maybe the last shard of the jaw pride. Some seconds of silence followed… Fiziju: well… anyone hungry? I know that I am. Ba´koi: then it makes the two of us… [Looks at Aihatu] how about you? Aihatu: well… yeah. I'm starving a bit too… Kevee: okay… then we have to do something about it. Come on, the prey doesn't go catch itself for us. Aihatu and Kamu laughed and nodded. After a while of searching for any prey they found the carcass of a recently dead zebra. And with nothing said, they began to eat of it. When it had been devoured the lions laid down in the grass to rest. Ba´koi: Aihatu? Can I ask you something? Aihatu: well of course! Ba´koi: how did Nokata die? Aihatu: [sighs deeply] she was… torn apart by an unknown pride of lions and leopards… Ba´koi: Lions and leopards??? Together? Aihatu: yes… together… and a leopard that called himself Kubaki led that pride… [Sighs] they attacked us without any warning… [She suddenly went silent for a couple of seconds] …they had almost killed all of us when that Kubaki suddenly halted the attack… Ba´koi: why did he do that? I mean… just stop? Aihatu: yes… just like that… I, Kamu, the queen and her son and my laughter left in life… I don't know what happened to the queen or the cubs… [Sniffs] … my daughter stayed there… Ba´koi: I'm sorry to hear that Aihatu… Aihatu: [sniffs] thanks… [Sniffs] and I should have got her out with me… but I couldn't… I betrayed her when she needed me… Ba´koi: don't blame yourself Aihatu… it wasn't your fault… Fiziju, who had been listening to what they had said came closer and sat down by their side… Aihatu: [sniffs] have you… ever had a cub? Ba´koi: no… I haven't… Fiziju: … and neither have I… but I lost my siblings and my mother when I was a cub… I couldn't understand that they would never come back again… Aihatu: [sniffs] I… feel sorry for you… Fiziju: thanks… Ba´koi: [sighs]… could we change the topic? This is really depressing me… Aihatu: [takes a deep breath] sure… what do you want to talk about? Ba´koi: well… I don't know… Fiziju: how about… some philosophy? Aihatu: hmm [smirks]… live in the presence… Both Fiziju and Ba´koi stared at Aihatu as if she had been a ghost… Ba´koi: but… that is a deathlanders philosophy! Aihatu: well… I kinda like it… Fiziju: you're not a deathlander, are you? Aihatu: I am, or rather were a deathlander… Ba´koi: oy… you're… you're a deathlander… I mean… yikes! Aihatu: surprised? Ba´koi: you bet! Fiziju: I always thought that deathlanders kills first and ask questions later… Aihatu: well… I only did that to my enemies… and as far as I know, your friends of mine… Ba´koi: that sounds reassuring… Aihatu: it is… [Teasing voice] so you can sleep safely… Fiziju: [grins] yeah… we have a mean friend to look after us… All three of them laughed. In the middle of a laugh Aihatu yawned. So did Fiziju. Ba´koi: well… we'd better get some sleep, don't you think? Aihatu: absolutely… With no more words spoken, they all fell asleep. Chapter XXIX Divine meeting Somewhere in the vast nowhere between the land of cheetahs and the pridelands, Rasawah stumbled forth trough the high grass. He did not stop to catch his breath but continued in the same direction. Without him taking any notice of it, a wind began to blow from the west… from his past. Somehow it encouraged him to continue. H stopped, sat down and looked down into the ground. The wind grew stronger and stronger but he did not move. With sad eyes he moved his gaze from the ground up to the distant horizon. Slowly large dark clouds began to move in from southwest and northeast. His gaze was fixed on the horizon so he did not notice them coming. After a while the two groups of clouds met each other above Rasawah and let out a heavy rain. No emotion showed up on the half-breeds face. The rain soaked his pelt into the bare skin. After a while the rain stopped. The clouds separated and revealed the blue sky again. Rasawah rose up again, his gaze still fixed on the horizon and took a few steps forwards. He felt how his legs bent under him and he fell back to the ground again. He lay there and watched the sun as it began to set. As the day slowly died away and the stars became visible the half-breed did not do anything else than laying on his side and look back to where he had come from. A tear formed in his eye, rolled down his cheek and splashed against the ground. Rasawah: [whispering] Madun… please hear me… if you ever cared about me… please listen… As the words left his lips it seemed like one of the stars that was visible on the sky began to move around. Rasawah saw it and began to follow it with his eyes as it jumped forth and back on the dark sky. Rasawah: [whispering] this is it… I have gone insane… The jumping star seemed to come closer and closer. With a mix of fear and curiosity he watched it. As it came closer it grew in size. Then it landed a few meters from him and changed shape into a golden glowing cheetress. Cheetah: [with a very kind voice] No Rasawah, you have not gone insane… and I assure you that I will listen to you. Rasawah lost his speech as he realized who the cheetress where. Rasawah: [stammers] M… Madun? Madun: yes Rasawah, it is I… Rasawah: [stammers] y… you heard me… Madun: of course I heard you Rasawah, I listen to all whom have belief in me. Rasawah: [stammers] e…even to a filthy half-breed like me? Madun: even you Rasawah… no one is different in my eyes… She gave him a friendly smile and reached out with a paw towards him and touched his flank. Madun: you know… it is thanks to me that you live… Rasawah: [stammers] wh… what do you mean? Madun: when Inkhobi found you half dead from starvation, he called me for help… and I helped you by creating milk for you… Rasawah just looked surprised at the cheetress, not able to say anything… Madun: … do you remember the thing that Inkhobi fed you with? I created the milk that came from it… Rasawah: [stammers] b… but why? Why did you help me? Madun: I did it because I love you Rasawah… I love everyone in the world, and you are included… And… if Inkhobi had not called for me, you might as well have been dead now… Luckily that is not the case… Rasawah: I guess so… [Remembers why he called for her] … and I called for you… The glowing cheetress sat down beside him… Madun: you did, and I came to listen to you… Rasawah: [takes a deep breath] I have left my home… I couldn't stay there… Why was I even born into this life of misery? Madun: you were born to live Rasawah…. Rasawah: but what is the point of living a life of pain? Madun: you live because you are destined to… follow the sunset and you will find your destiny She stroked his head gently with a paw… Madun: … your destiny lies to the east… She rose up, took a few steps away and reshaped into a glowing orb. Madun: just don't lose faith Rasawah, if you do I cannot tell what might happen… Take care of yourself… The orb shot up to the skies and soon it vanished among all the stars on the now starlit sky. Rasawah sat up on his haunches and shook his head lightly… Rasawah: [thinks] did that happen for real? He looked up at the stars and saw one of them move around. He shook his head again… Rasawah: [thinks] follow the sunset… that means east… Very well… what do I have to lose anyway? He rose up and looked up at the sky again, but this time all the twinkling stars sat still. He sighed and walked off towards the east. Chapter XXX Wayfarers meet A couple of days later… Kubaki sat in the entrance to the den and looked down on his two prisoners who were held firmly by two lionesses. Kubaki: [to the lionesses] ok… let them go… [To the cubs] you two… come with me. The two cubs did not dare to do anything but obey the leopard. Kubaki led them out from the den and down to the place where the pride used to hang around. Kubaki nodded towards the lionesses that where there and two of them began to groom Leesha and Kikafu. At the same time the human Bob walked towards the tank he and Kubaki had come with. He climbed up on the turret and down into the tank itself. After looking around he found the communications device and turned it on. A red lamp lit, indicating sufficient power. Bob: Delta Echo Charlie Foxtrott… All he received in answer was a lot of rasping noise. Bob: Delta Echo Charlie Foxtrot, come in… Radio: [scratching noises] del… cho…arlie fox…ot in… col…or? Bob: green… Radio: [scratching noises] spec… yo… rank… Bob: Private; surveillance forces 42:th Army Radio: [scratching noises] specif… your loc…tion… Bob: location… sector 142.beta Radio: [scratching noises] green… pr…vate location 142.b… Bob: affirmative… is there any green forces within this sector? Radio: [scratching noises] negative… ne…st frien…ly fo…es five sec…rs no…th Bob: come again, over… Radio: [scratching noises] near…t fr…dly …rces fi…e secto…s north… Bob: acknowledged… over and out… He turned the radio off again and sighed. Bob: [to himself] damn… I'm stuck out here with a megalomaniac leopard… [Grins] mom always told me to stay away from all kinds of stuff… but never this! This can't be a bad dream… it's too real… He sank his head into his hands and looked down into the ground… and saw a black box on the floor Bob: hey… what's that? He picked the box up and opened it. With an evil grin he picked up the contains of the box… A magnum revolver… Bob: oh yeah… this is going my way now… He checked the revolver for bullets and found that it was empty… Bob: [exclaims] Burning HELL!!! He almost threw the gun into the ground, cursing loudly… Bob: this just has to happen now… [Calms down a little] ok… play it cool… there must be bullets around here… He turned around and looked for anything that could reassemble of a box of ammunition… Nothing could he find and in rage he kicked to a cardboard box that lay on the floor close to him… Lots of lots of bullets flew to all directions and the human stood gaping and looked at it. Bob: unholy underground! [Laughs] Yes! He took a bullet and tried it in the gun, and to his surprise it was the right ammunition. He took a handful of the bullets and put them in his pocket together with the revolver. Grinning evilly he climbed back out from the turret and tried to look as if nothing had happened. Back at Kabuki's pride, the two cubs had been bathed. But Kubaki didn't seem to be pleased with it… Kubaki: [to the cubs] why so sad faces? Leesha: leave me alone you… you… evil creature… Kubaki: I will… if you are patient enough… Leesha: [spits] why should I be patient with you… oof! Kikafu had elbowed her in her side to get her attention… Kikafu: [whispers] Leesha, what are you doing? He could kill us… Leesha: [whispers] I know… but… She couldn't finish as Kubaki had cuffed her very hard, sending her to the ground. Kikafu nudged her with his paw… Kikafu: Leesha? Are you ok? She moaned and got back up on her paws Leesha: yeah… I'm ok… Kikafu: [relieved] thanks goodness for that… Leesha: [rubs her aching cheek] that really hurt… Kubaki: [cuts her off] that was my intention… I have bad experiences of people who whispers in my vicinity… now [to his minions] bring those miserable cubs back to the den… and guard them… Two of the lionesses stepped over to the cubs, picked them up and carried them away towards the priderock and the den. Somewhere a couple of kilometers away from the western border of the pridelands Rasawah sat in the shadow of a tree in a small grove. Somehow he had the feeling of being watched, but each time he looked around he didn't find anyone. After a while he decided to ignore it but after yet a while he heard a slight rustle from the tree he sat under… Rasawah: [looks up in the tree] who… who's there? The noise stopped for a second before it continued as before… Rasawah: Who's up there? The noise stopped again and a second later he heard a voice coming from the tree… Slodia: who I am? Come up here and I'll tell you… Rasawah: I can't climb… why don't you come down here instead? Slodia: I could… but that wouldn't be as fun as if you got up here… Rasawah: I said I, cant climb… my claws aren't sharp enough… Slodia: very well then… I'll come down… The panther plunged down from the tree and landed on all four paws a meter from Rasawah… Slodia: ok… here I am… Rasawah: I can see that… but who are you? Slodia: I am Slodia… and who might you be, Mr. cheetah? Rasawah: Kiah Rasawah… Slodia raised an eyebrow and looked half-surprised… Slodia: are you kidding? Rasawah: no I'm not… that's my name… Rasawah, the filthy one… Slodia: [shocked] what heartless evil creature named you that? Rasawah: my mother did… Slodia: hmm… well… She walked around him, looking him over… Slodia: … apart from that you are a little stronger built than ordinary cheetahs I don't see anything different about you… is it maybe your missing ear? Rasawah: no… it's not my ear… it's something else… Slodia: well… then I don't have any clue, my friend… [Looks at his face] wait a minute… there's something familiar about you… Rasawah: how do you mean? Slodia: you remind me of someone… tell me… where are you from? Rasawah: I come from the eastern part of the cheetah lands… Slodia: hmm… the eastern part you say… do you know Inkhobi? Rasawah: yes I do… he was my azna… Slodia: okay… he was your… What? Rasawah: my azna… father… well… step father… but still… Slodia: ooh… so that's why he seemed so sad when I met him… Rasawah: [nods] mhm… Slodia: well then… [Looks at his face again] gee… I just can't figure out whom you reassemble of… Rasawah: [sighs] must be my father… every cheetah I met seems to know who he was… Slodia: how come? Rasawah: is name was Uzukah… and he was a lion… Slodia: evil one… wait a minute… did you say that your father was a lion? Rasawah: yes I did… I am a crossbreed… that's the reason of my name… Slodia: oh… I understand… [Looks at him] but why did you leave Inkhobi? Rasawah: [sighs again] I just couldn't stay there… I just couldn't bear the memories… [Sniffs] it was not because of Inkhobi… [Sniffs] he had been my only comfort since my mother abandoned me… [Sniffs] and then… I got the feeling of belonging somewhere else… Slodia: [puts her paw on his shoulder] I didn't mean to push you Rasawah… Rasawah: [sniffs] doesn't matter…[sniffs] doesn't matter… Slodia: it does matter Rasawah… She gave him a quick hug… Slodia: you don't have to tell anything you don't want to tell… Rasawah: thanks… They looked at each other for some seconds. Slodia gave Rasawah a friendly smile and another hug that made him stop sobbing… Rasawah: [takes a deep breath] well… I should be going now… Slodia: where are you headed anyway? Rasawah: [makes a diffuse gesture towards the east] to the east… somewhere… Slodia began to smile… Slodia: heh… then we are going the same direction… you wouldn't mind to be accompanied by a panthress, would you? Rasawah: no… actually I'd appreciate some company… Slodia: fine… lets get going then… They rose to their paws and began to pad away to the east… Slodia: well… I'm wondering why you want to go east? Rasawah: she told me to… Slodia: your mother? I thought you… Rasawah: no… not my mother… Madun told me… Slodia hadn't expected that answer and stopped on her paws. Rasawah stopped and looked around at her… Slodia: Madun… the cheetah goddess? Rasawah: yeah… she told me to go east… Slodia: you actually spoke to a goddess? Rasawah: yes I have… Slodia: holy yikes… I mean… You spoke to a goddess… Rasawah: yeah… and you make it sound like a major crime… Slodia: I didn't mean it that way… I am a shaman, but I never met any god or goddess. Rasawah: oh, I see… well… why don't we discuss something else? Slodia: sure… you know… I can tell you a little about… Slodia began to tell about various things and they continued to discuss while walking. It had almost become night when they stopped at a rather large tree that stood alone in the middle of the savannah. Rasawah lay down under the tree and Slodia climbed up to the lowest branch, lay down and looked on Rasawah. Slodia: well… good night then Rasawah. Rasawah: good night Slodia… A moment later both of them had fallen asleep… Some hours later Slodia woke up in utter terror… something was not right and she could sense it… a ghostly silence laid over the place… no wind was present… no crickets was chirping and the sky was covered by black clouds. She looked down at Rasawah and saw that something, a dark shape was standing bent over him. Without hesitation she leaped down and bared her fangs at the unknown shape. The sudden appearance of the snarling panthress made the creature back of and finally to flee. Slodia tried to distinguish the dark shape from the night but since no light came from either the moon or the stars, she couldn't. After a while she gave up and turned her attention to the still sleeping Rasawah. Slodia: [half to herself] I think we'd better get you up a tree or something… She shook his shoulder to wake him up, but he continued to sleep. With a kind of malicious smile she took his tail up in her paw. Slodia: sorry friend… but I have to wake you. She moved his tail up to her mouth and bit it lightly. She did not want to hurt him, but she bit hard enough for him to wake up. Rasawah: [wakes up immediately] OOW!! He came to his senses very quick. A split second later he was standing up and looked at Slodia, who still had his tail in her mouth. Rasawah: [shocked] Slodia… what are you doing? Slodia looked back at Rasawah with a guilty face and let go of his tail. Slodia: sorry about that. I had to wake you up. Rasawah: couldn't you have done that in a little more nice way? Slodia: I tried… and you didn't wake up… Rasawah: ok then… but why wake me in the middle of the night? Slodia: there… was someone at your side. I couldn't see who it was but whatever it was doing it sure didn't seem friendly… Rasawah: [unable to say anything] uh… Slodia: so… I chased it away… [Looks up in the tree she had been sleeping in] and I think it would be better if we found you a safer place to sleep… don't you think? Rasawah: yeah certainly… but… you aren't referring to that tree, are you? Slodia: [nods] yes I am… it be a lot safer up there… Rasawah: I can't climb; remember? Slodia: oh yeah… well… you haven't tried, have you? Rasawah: no… Slodia: then why not give it a try? Rasawah: yeah… why not? He went over to the base of the trunk, looked up and jumped up and tried to get a grip on the tree with his blunted claws. But the bark was too tough and his claws not sharp enough so he fell back down to the ground. Slodia: oh… I forgot… you don't have as sharp claws as I have… what the heck do we do then? [Thinks for a moment] I got it… I'll carry you up there! Rasawah: carry me? Up there? Slodia: [nods] yep, that was my plan. Rasawah: I'm not exactly a cub… and I weigh a lot more than one… Slodia: you can never know in advance Rasawah… hang on to my back and I'll make a try… Rasawah wrapped his arms around Slodias neck and clung very tight… Slodia: ready? Rasawah: ready! Slodia: here we go… She leaped towards the trunk and began to climb upwards with Rasawah on her back. With severe effort she managed to pull both herself and Rasawah up on the lowest branch. Slodia: [pants] ok… we're up. Rasawah let go of her neck and looked down and then on Slodia. Rasawah: holy yikes! You got us both up! Slodia: [grins] yep… never underestimate the strength of a panthress. But… you aren't as heavy as you look… She smiled in victory… Rasawah: yeah right… now I'm going to do what I did before you woke me up so "gently"… Slodia: heh… I'll do that too… just get up on a higher branch because I don't think this one can bear the weight of both of us… Rasawah ascended the next branch, lie down on it and fell asleep again. Slodia sat on the lower branch and watched the ground for uninvited guests. Chapter XXXI Hostile home The following day when Rasawah woke up he saw a gigantic rock draw a silhouette against the horizon. Rasawah: [looks down at Slodia] Slodia, are you awake? Slodia: [yawns] define the word awake… Rasawah: well… your not asleep, then you must be awake… Slodia: [grins] true… Rasawah: of course! Anyway, I have a question for you. Slodia: [a bit dowsy] let me hear… Rasawah: do you know where we are? Just a little curious… Slodia: well… [Looks trough a hole in the foliage and sees the rock at the horizon] I can see the priderock from here… that mean we are close to the pridelands… and that's my stop… Rasawah: aw… that'll mean I have to travel alone… Slodia: unfortunately yes… but there's still about a days travel until we reach the border… Rasawah: [grins] so we don't have to start all the goodbyes yet… Slodia: [laughs] your right! Slodia easily jumped down from the tree and landed on the ground. Rasawah stood and tried to figure out how to come down… He walked along the branch he sat on to get a better position… Slodia: Come on! We don't have all day! Rasawah: I'll be right with you… just a second… And a second later the branch he sat on began to crack, and after another second it broke and both it and Rasawah fell down to the ground. Slodia: [grins] that was two seconds… Rasawah: yeah right… everyone isn't used to climb… Slodia: ok… sorry Rasawah… Rasawah: doesn't matter… let's get going instead… Slodia: yeah… we aren't getting nowhere standing here… Rasawah grinned and soon they continued their travel towards the pridelands. They arrived to the western border of the pridelands at late afternoon. Slodia stood and looked at Rasawah, who looked back at her… Slodia: well… this is where I stop… Rasawah: [sighs] I guess its time for goodbyes now… Slodia: I guess so… but wait… why don't you stay here for a couple of days? Who knows, you might like it here. Rasawah: hmm… why not? Slodia: good… I'll introduce you to the pride, and I'm sure they'll like to know you… Rasawah: okay… you lead the way… Slodia: sure! As they came deeper and deeper into the pridelands they saw how abandoned the land seemed to be. No birds was chirping, no herds of animals was present… just the gloomy atmosphere was there… A little while later they saw a lot of vultures flock feast upon something dead. Slodia had a creepy feeling about it. Suddenly she sensed a familiar scent. She rushed towards the vultures, scaring them away and saw that her worst fear had came true. She saw the remains of the pride. A lot of bones, some of them still had skin on them. Slodia: oh my god… this cant be true… Rasawah could not get himself to say anything. The disgusting scene in front of him was almost too much. Slodia looked at the corpses… everyone she had known laid dead. Pinja, Nokata, Zikale… everyone… Slodia: [almost crying] this can't be true… Rasawah looked at one of the corpses and shook his head. Then he went over to Slodia and laid a paw on her shoulder. Slodia looked at him trough eyes full of tears. A second later she was crying down his back. None of them took any notice of that a lioness with glowing eyes had seen them and was on her way to the priderock. A minute later the new pride arrived without either Slodia or Rasawah noticed them. Kubaki: [mocking voice] why mourn the dead? They don't care… Slodia opened her eyes widely, turned around and saw the leopard and his minions. Slodia: who the hell are you? Kubaki: hmm… some call me Kubaki, but to most creatures I am the king… Slodia: you? King? One of the lionesses of Kubakis pride looked at Slodia with almost burning eyes. Lioness: [cold voice] he is the king… Kubaki: [mocking voice] there you see… I am the king. Rasawah: [looks at the corpses] did you do this? Kubaki: what if I did? Slodia: why? Kubaki: [snaps at her] it's me who should ask "why" a leopardess and an overgrown cheetah dared to enter my land without permission. I should kill you for trespassing right now… but you have no idea how lucky you are… Slodia was still to chocked over the deaths of her friends to say anything. Rasawah however had studied the various members of Kubakis pride and had noticed that all of them had the same cold, emotionless glowing eyes. Rasawah: what do you mean with that? Kubaki: [grinning sinisterly] you'll see He made a nod to two of his minions. They nodded back and ran back to the priderock… Kubaki: well… what shall we talk about while we wait? Slodia: wait for what, you evil creature. Kubaki: as I said, leopardess, you'll see… He gave her an evil sharp-toothed grin. Kubaki: ah… now I know… why are a cheetah and a leopardess walking together? Slodia: [snaps back] that's none of your business… Kubaki: uh huh? Can't it be like you two fell in love with each other and now seeks a place where you can raise your filthy offspring… that's it, isn't it! Rasawah: no it isn't… Kubaki: shut up! He turned around and grinned when he saw his two minions return, carrying two cubs. Slodia gasped when she saw whom the cubs were… Slodia: Kiká… Leesha… The two cubs recognized Slodias voice and began to struggle to get free from the lionesses mouths. Kikafu: Slodia! Kubaki raised an eyebrow when he heard Slodias name… Kubaki: [to Slodia] so… you are the shaman Slodia… Slodia: that happens to be my name… Kubaki: why didn't I recognize you before? Slodia: I never seen you before in my life… Kubaki: but I've seen you… enough of that… just take those two cubs and be gone from my land… Rasawah: nothing would please me more… The lionesses that were carrying Leesha and Kikafu gently put their captives down on the ground. The two cubs immediately ran over to Slodia and Rasawah. Slodia almost couldn't believe that they still were alive. She looked at Rasawah and mentioned for him to pick Kikafu up. Rasawah carefully picked the cub up by the scruff of his neck. Slodia picked Leesha up and some seconds later they were on their way out from the pridelands. They could hear a maniacal laughter behind them… Chapter XXXII Allegiances Timba, Aihatu, Kamu and the four former Jaw Landers stood at the border to the deserted Jaw lands. Xiamu: [sighs] it's not a pretty sight, is it? Aihatu: certainly not… what happened to these lands? Fiziju: there was a war of succession between our former kings two sons… Ba´koi: but… none of them conquered… both are dead now and the land is abandoned… Kamu: [after a short silence] … it's spooky here… Kevee: yes… we know… but the creepiest place is where the two princes died… its like their spirits are all around you… Kamu: jeesh… I get chills down my spine just thinking of it… All the lions went over to a kopje and sat down on it and surveyed the empty lands bellow them. All except for Timba, he looked towards the east and the barely visible rock that had the home of both himself and his pride. And… his beloved wife Pinja… Aihatu took notice of that he was in deep thought and went over to him. Aihatu: Timba… is something wrong? Timba: [sighs] I… no… nothing… Aihatu: oh… I know how much it hurts to lose one close to you, Timba, but the pain will let go sooner or later… Timba: I'd prefer later… Aihatu: I know how it feels… but one day you have to get over it Timba… Timba: I know… She sighed and gave him a fast hug. Xiamu had heard them and looked around her shoulder and looked at them for a second before she rose to her paws and walked over to them. Xiamu: I feel sorry for you too Timba… She walked straight up to Timba and rubbed her head against his… Xiamu: I really do… it must be terrible to lose one close to you. Timba: it iz… Xiamu rubbed her head against his once again. Xiamu: I can only imagine how hard it is… Aihatu cleared out her throat. Aihatu: well Xiamu… why are you suddenly so talkative? Xiamu: [blushes] uh… She walked back over to the others and sat down by them. Aihatu looked after her... Aihatu: [thinks] just leave him alone, Xiamu… She sighed and looked back at Timba, who had risen to his feet. Timba: [sighs] well… maybe we zhould go back to the otherz… Aihatu: yeah… lets. They padded over to the other lions and looked at them… Fiziju: well… we were just waiting for you two… Aihatu: fine… so we are going now, right? Ba´koi: yep, I'd rather get trough this land before night… I wouldn't necessary spend the night there… Kamu: yeah… it gives me the creeps even thinking on it in the day… and I can barely imagine how it is in the night… Ba´koi: ok… we're agreed on that… lets go then! One by one they began to walk away, Xiamu waited so that she was the last to leave. She caught up with Timba and nudged his shoulder with her nose. Xiamu: [to Timba] well… you'll get over your sorrow one day… Timba: [to Xiamu] I know… but I'll never forget her… Xiamu: well… it would be strange if you did… that would mean that you didn't love her… Timba: [gives her a puzzled look] what do you mean? Xiamu: If you just forget someone like that, it would mean that you didn't really care about that person… Timba: zoundz reazonable… Xiamu: [smiles] good… The little group came further and further into the once beautiful Jaw lands. The grass they walked on had an unnatural brownish color and all the trees was dead and everywhere laid the skeletons of the unfortunate creatures who never got themselves to safety outside the borders. The former Pride Landers could only imagine the beauty that once laid over the gloomy landscape they traveled in. After some hours they reached something much like a waterhole, and unlike the rest of the dreadful surroundings, the trees that stood near it were still alive. But the leaves on them were a darkened green color and they looked like they were to die any moment. But something felt very wrong about the place; all of the lions could feel it… Ba´koi: oh well… I had hoped for that we never would have come to this particular place… This is the place where the two princes of the Jaw lands killed each other… its called Iron's pond… She nodded towards the waterhole and mentioning at some feline skeletons that lay scattered around the place. Fiziju: …and whatever you do, do not touch the water… it's cursed. She picked up a bone from one of the skeletons and dipped it in the water. In front of their eyes the bone changed color from bleak tan to a silvery color. Then she laid the bone back where she had taken it. Fiziju: as you can see it can't be healthy to drink of that water… Aihatu: [shakes her head] certainly not… Ba´koi: then I suggest that we leave this place at once and let the dead have peace… Every one of them nodded and soon they had left the pond behind them. After having traveled for yet many hours they finally reached the far eastern border of the Jaw lands. They could feel how the surroundings changed drastically. It was as if a large invisible cloud had vanished from their minds. It even seemed like the grass was greener on the other side of the border. They rested for some minutes, enjoying that they had came out from the haunted Jaw lands. They then spent the rest of the day to find anything that could serve as a temporal home for them. But they found none and decided that they should continue eastwards the next day. All of them sat on the top of a small kopje, making them comfortable to sleep. A little while later all of them were fast asleep. All except for Xiamu… She sat and looked at the moon as it rose above the horizon. She waited a couple of minutes, just to make sure that she was the only one awake. Then she sneaked over to where Timba laid and buffed him lightly in his side with her muzzle. It did not have any affect on him so she simply lifted his head with her paw and pressed her muzzle against his in a long kiss. As if on command he woke up and looked at her with frightened eyes… he opened his mouth to say something, but he didn't manage to get any sound to emit from his mouth. Xiamu returned his gaze with a longing one. Xiamu: well… sorry about that… I had to wake you… Timba: [still surprised] … you woke me up all right… Xiamu: [smirks] mission accomplished then… I have something to tell you… Timba: couldn't that wait until tomorrow? Xiamu: [looks down into the ground, blushing lightly] no… it's a private matter… Timba: ok… I'm liztening… Xiamu: good… it's like this… I'm a lioness… and… you are a lion… Timba: thanks for reminding me… Xiamu: please… let me finish… Timba nodded and mentioned for her to continue. Xiamu: thanks… it's like… I mean… I feel that my season is very close now… I know that it is ill-timed… I mean… you are the only male around… and… you are grieving a loss… and… I know what a lioness' season can do to males… She sighed deeply and looked at him with dreaming eyes… Then she shook her head to clear her thoughts. Xiamu: and… I know what it does to me… I just wanted to tell you… I don't want you to… I mean… I didn't want to… never mind… I just wanted to tell you. Timba: I know what you mean Xiamu… thankz for notifying me. Xiamu sighed and took a few steps away, lie down and fell asleep. Timba sat in deep thought… Timba: [very low] … I still love you Pinja… I'll never let anyone take your place in my heart… He sighed deeply and went back to sleep. The next morning was Xiamu the first one to wake up. She stretched her body and began to groom her paw… and without noticing it her gaze moved to Timbas sleeping form… and then she forgot to lick on her paw, just looking at Timba with a longing gaze… Aihatu woke up and saw how Xiamu looked at Timba and understood why she was doing it… Aihatu: good morning Xiamu… Xiamu: [snaps out of her state] uh? Oh… morning Aihi… slept well? Aihatu: I don't complain… how about you Xiamu, did you have any pleasant dreams? Xiamu: well… I think so… I quite don't remember… Aihatu: or… did you have trouble sleeping last night? Xiamu sighed Xiamu: you heard what I said to him, didn't you? Aihatu: yes… I did… and I think it was the right thing you did when you told him… Xiamu: you do? Aihatu: yes I do… and because I know what might have happened if you hadn't. Xiamu: I guess you had figured it out anyway… I mean… it's hard not to take any notice of it… Aihatu: yeah… well, enough about that… Xiamu: right. Aihatu: [thinks of something to discuss] well… I'm glad that we left the Jaw lands behind us… Xiamu: me too… now you understand why we wanted to get trough there as quick as possible Aihatu gave Xiamu a nod as an answer. Aihatu: anyway… how about the two of us go and see if we can find anything to eat? Xiamu: what a splendid idea Aihi… With no more words spoken the two lionesses went out to hunt. A little while later the rest of the group slowly began to wake up. Kamu was the first of them to notice that Aihatu and Xiamu wasn't there… Kamu: hey… have anyone seen Xiamu and Aihi? Fiziju: nope… Ba´koi: their probably just somewhere nearby… nothing to worry about… Kamu: I hope your right… [Looks back to where they had come from] you know… the Jaw lands really gave me the creeps… it was like the souls of the dead war all around you there… Kevee: [nods] yeah… but luckily we got out before nightfall… we have heard of others that spent the night there… they lost their minds totally… Kamu: heh… there's another good reason why we should be happy to be here… Kevee and Fiziju smirked at Kamu's comment… Fiziju: you're right Kamu… A short period of silence followed, it seemed like no one had anything to say… Timba: you know… I think we'll better get going az zoon az Aihatu and Xiamu returnz… Ba´koi: I was thinking the same thing… In the meanwhile had Aihatu and Xiamu spotted a lone gazelle and were discussing how they should catch it. Aihatu: [whispers] is it really worth a try? I mean it looks very skinny to me… Xiamu: [whispers] I'd say we make a try Aihi… Aihatu: [whispers] very well then… I'll go for it's left side, and you go for its right side, ok? Xiamu: [whispers] check. Lets get it before it slips away. Aihatu nodded and then they got into their positions… The gazelle suddenly understood the present danger and started to run… but to no use. Both Aihatu and Xiamu broke cover simultaneously and the poor gazelle did not stand a chance… A second later it suffocated in between Aihatus strong jaws… Xiamu: Hah! The little sucker thought he could escape us! Aihatu let go of the gazelle's throat and started to remove some of its blood from her pelt… Suddenly her ear caught a sound coming from behind them. She span around and looked straight into the face of a startled serval. Aihatu: [confused] was that you that made that sound, serval? Serval: [shakes in fear] y…yes madam. Please don't hurt me… Aihatu looked at the serval, not really sure what to think. She sent a gaze towards Xiamu, who seemed to try her best not to laugh… Aihatu: I won't hurt you fella, you just startled me, that's all… Serval: are you sure? Aihatu: what do you mean with "are you sure"? Serval: nothing… why does everyone I meet want to kill me? Aihatu: kill you? We don't want to kill you serval… Serval: are you absolutely sure? Aihatu: [starting to get annoyed] yes, I am sure that I don't want to hurt you… Serval: good… I'm Thezzin. Aihatu: ok… I am Aihatu… and [points at Xiamu] that is Xiamu… Xiamu gave her an angry scowl… Xiamu: Aihi… if you don't mind that I introduce myself… Aihatu: ops… sorry… Xiamu: it's ok… [To Thezzin] I am Xiamu… Thezzin: nice to meet you two… I must've been lucky to meet you two since you don't want to kill me… Xiamu: tell me, Thezzin, why do you think everyone want to kill you? Thezzin: I know that everyone wants to kill me… Aihatu: but we don't… Thezzin: how can I be sure that you don't bite by head off when I turn my back at you? Xiamu rolled her eyes and Aihatu shrugged… The serval was definitely getting on their nerves… Xiamu: you'll simply have to trust us Thezzin… Thezzin: then I'll do that… The serval stepped past Aihatu and padded towards Xiamu and simply walked right into her front leg… Xiamu: [puzzled] what are you doing? Thezzin: huh? What do you mean? Xiamu: you walked right into my leg! Thezzin: I did… [Crawls backwards] I didn't mean to… I didn't think you stood there… Xiamu peered down on the serval and looked him straight into his eye. She gasped when she saw three notches in both of his eyes. Xiamu: oh my god! What happened to your eyes? Thezzin: long story… someone almost killed me… and took my sight… Aihatu: [pads over to them] do you mean that you are… Thezzin: yes… I am almost completely blind… Xiamu: oh… who did that to you? Thezzin: I said that… someone, a complete stranger to me, just came up and slashed me across my eyes with his or her claws… Aihatu: oh… poor you… how long ago is it? Thezzin: I don't really know… a couple of rain seasons have passed… Aihatu: [chocked] You mean that you've been blind for several years??? Thezzin: [nods] exactly… Xiamu looked at Aihatu, who looked back at her. Aihatu mentioned for Xiamu to take a few steps away so that she could talk to her… Aihatu: [to Xiamu] what do we do? Xiamu: I don't know! I never encountered a blind serval before… Aihatu: me neither… what can we do? I can't heal his eyes… Xiamu: neither can I… Aihatu: well then… can he stay with us? Xiamu: I don't know… While the two lionesses had discussed what to do had the little serval slipped away into the grass and vanished. When Aihatu finally had agreed with Xiamu and they turned to Thezzin, they saw that he was gone… Xiamu: hey! Where did he go? Aihatu: I don't know… I don't think we'll ever know… Xiamu: [looks puzzled] neither do I… They looked at each other and felt the scent of blood lingering in the air. All by once they forgot about the blind serval and remembered their newly killed gazelle instead. A while later they both cleaned their pelts for the remains of their meal. When the last trace of blood and flesh had been removed they began to follow their own tracks back to the rest of the group of survivors… When they returned, the others where ready to leave… Fiziju: all right… there they are. Ba´koi: about time, we were just about to go looking for you two. Xiamu: aw, you know me Baky… Ba´koi: [sarcastically] yeah… to well… Kevee: anyway… while you two were out on your little "adventure" we decided that we maybe should find ourselves a home here… Timba: [continuing] we have zeen zomething that lookz like a cave not zo far away from here… And we decided to check it out to zee if it iz zuitable for uz… Aihatu: very well then… let's go have a look at it… Ba´koi: fine… this way… Ba´koi began to walk towards something that looked like a fault in the ground. The rest followed closely after her. As they came closer they saw that it wasn't a fault but a large pile of boulders that stood in a depressed area… and after yet a while they could see two large openings under the lowermost rock. They quickly decided to explore and entered one of the openings. Inside a large vault-like space was what they saw. In the middle of the cave there stood a crystal formation with the shape of a crescent moon. Astonished by both the size of the cave and the crystal they just sat gaping… Timba studied the crystal with his eyes, trying to remember where he heard of something like it… suddenly it struck him… Timba: oh my god… thiz iz the den of Chitzikobe… The other of the lionesses stared at him, looking like question marks… Kevee: [puzzled] the den of whom? Timba: of Chitzikobe… a demon goddezz… az far az I can remember zhe wanted to rule both heaven and earth herzelf… but her planz failed and zhe waz bannizhed from the world… forever… Thiz muzt be where zhe lived… becauze I can clearly remember the legend of the crystal crezcent. Ba´koi: interesting… but how do you know all this stuff? I've never heard of anything like it before… Timba: it waz literally knocked into my head when I waz a cub… Fiziju: so this Chitzikobe was a demon goddess… can that mean that this place is cursed? Timba: I don't think zo… all of Chitzikobez evilnezz waz deztroyed with her Kevee: how can you be so sure? Timba: becauze the one who told me about thiz iz a zhaman… and he ought to know… Aihatu: ok then… if there's no evil here, so why don't we explore the other cave and see if it can be of any use to us? Everyone nodded their heads in agreement and then they began to explore all of the cavities the crescent rock had to offer. Chapter XXXIII The Crescent pride While looking inside the second of the two larger caves in the rock, they found that it was suitable as a lair for them. And when they had agreed that it should be used as a den they began to explore the surrounding areas. They found everything they needed to survive, both waterholes and a couple of gazing herds. After those vital discoveries they returned to their new den to rest in the cool shadow it offered. When they lay down to sleep saw Aihatu that Xiamu laid herself next to Timba. She cleared her throat once… Aihatu: Aren't you forgetting something Xiamu? Xiamu: [realizes her error] oh… [Blushes slightly] it must've slipped my mind… thanks for reminding me Aihi… Aihatu: you're welcome. Xiamu wore a very disappointed look on her face when she rose up and padded a little away from Timba, who already was asleep… Kevee and Ba´koi gave Aihatu a puzzled look. Ba´koi: uh… what was that about? Aihatu: [sighs] oh well… it's better that you know about it… Xiamu is close to her season… and… I think you understand what I mean… and it would be nice if you could help me reminding her when she does something wrong… Kevee: oh… I understand… you can count on me Aihi. Ba´koi: you can count on me too… Aihatu: [smiles] thanks… now where did Kamu and Fiziju go? Kevee: I think they went over to the other cave… to check something out, I think… She stopped as she saw them enter the cave… Kevee: and speak of the devil and he comes… there they are… Fiziju raised an eyebrow at her… Fiziju: what? Did we miss the end of the world or what? Aihatu: no… not really, but very close to it… Aihatu told them what was about to happen and what they had to do to prevent it… Aihatu: [continuing]… is everything clear? Fiziju: [nods] yep! Kamu: of course… as clear as that crystal crescent in the other cave… Aihatu: good… [Hears what Kamu said] what did you say? Kamu: err… I mean… I got it… Aihatu: did you say "crystal crescent"? Kamu: [a bit uncomfortable] well… I did… Aihatu: [smiles] you just made up a perfect saying, Kamu… Kamu was surprised over Aihatus behavior until she realized that she had pulled her leg… Kamu: oh you… you… Aihatu: gotcha! Kamu: your cruel Aihi… you tricked me! Aihatu: heh… sorry Kamu… but you should have seen your face… Timba raised his head a little and gave the lionesses a tired and annoyed gaze… Timba: could you pleaze keep it down? There'z zome who wantz to zleep here… The lionesses continued without having taken any notice of him. He sighed, rose to his paws and sneaked out from the cave. Xiamu laid and peered after him, pretending to be asleep, waiting for the others to fall into the arms of sleep. She had felt the change inside her body; she knew that her season had already begun. She waited patiently until she was sure the other lionesses were asleep. When she finally decided that the coast was clear, she sneaked out from the cave and began to follow Timbas track. She followed him all the way to the other side of the massive pile of rocks and into a small cavern underneath a rock. Inside she found him sitting on his haunches, apparently trying to make himself comfortable. She walked in and sat down beside him. Xiamu: [leaning on to Timbas shoulder] Timba? Timba snapped out of his thoughts and stared straight into her eyes… Xiamu: oh… sorry… Timba: don't worry… but… what are you doing here? Xiamu: oh well… [Croons] its just one simple thing… Timba: ok… what iz it you want? Xiamu: [gets a wild look in her eyes] one thing [crouches into a pouncing position] … I want you! She leaped on him, making him loosing his balance and fall over on his back. He was still trying to figure out what just happened when she placed her paws on his chest, pinning him firmly to the ground. Timba: [confused and surprised] Xiamu… what are you… He suddenly felt the unmistakably scent in his nose… he totally lost himself in her eyes and soon after their muzzles joined in a passionate kiss… Chapter XXXIV Xiamu's Banishment The day slowly passed by, and inside the den, the lionesses had just woken up. And it did not take them long to discover that both Timba and Xiamu was missing… Aihatu: hey… Timba's missing… Kamu: and so are Xiamu… Aihatu felt how she literally exploded into anger… Aihatu: [snarls] that foolish girl! Without wasting any time she ran out from the cave and began searching for any trail of Xiamu or Timba. At the same time on the other side of the formation Xiamu began to wake up. She purred softly while stretching her body. Then she looked at Timba, who still were asleep and sighed happily… Xiamu: Timba love, are you awake? He did not react to her question but slept on… Xiamu: [purrs while prodding him lightly] Timba? When she prodded him he suddenly jerked alive. His eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost… Xiamu: what's wrong dear? She came closer to him, still purring softly, and rubbed her head under his chin. As her head touched him he began to snarl at her. Surprised she jerked back and looked straight into his eyes. Still growling he slapped her across her face with his claws out, leaving four parallel bleeding wounds on her cheek. She stopped purring at once… just staring at him in disbelief for a second. Then she turned around and ran out from the cave. When she came out she collided with a furious Aihatu. Xiamu: [half-crying] Aihi… he… he… She pointed at her bleeding cheek… Aihatu: [growls] that's what you deserve… Xiamu: [in disbelief] but Aihi… Aihatu: [growls] it's Aihatu for you… only my friends call me Aihi… Xiamu: [starts to cry] but… Aihatu: [growls] But nothing! You are not welcome here! Xiamu: but Aihi… you cant… Aihatu smacked her across her face with a paw… Aihatu: don't you get it? Piss off! Leave this place or I'll kill you!!! Xiamu gritted her teeth while staring at Aihatu with a gaze full of fear… Aihatu gave her a cold gaze in return, snarling viciously. Xiamu understood everything… she turned around, sniffing loudly, and ran off as fast as she could. Aihatu glared after her as long as she was within visual range. When she couldn't see her anymore she went into the cave that Xiamu had came from. A strange feeling of having done something very wrong came over her, but it vanished as she saw Timba sit totally torn apart by grief… Without hesitation she went over to him… Timba: [tearful voice] go… away… Aihatu: [laying her paw on his shoulder] Timba… I… [Sighs] I banished Xiamu… Timba lifted his head to see her right into her eyes. She saw how his eyes emitted nothing but intense sorrow. Her motherly feelings told her to comfort him while another feeling told her not to… her motherly feeling won and she embraced Timba close to her. He sobbed loudly, pouring tears down from his eyes… Xiamu ran without caring where she was heading. She kept running, not seeing much because her tears blurred her vision. Without she took any notice of it she stumbled straight into a swamp… When she finally came to a halt she almost sunk down into the muddy ground beneath her. A stench of rotten eggs slammed into her nose-drills. And all around her stood the dark shapes of dead trees and small rocks. Suddenly a high-pitched mourning cry broke the solid silence. Xiamu's first thought was to flee as fast as she could, but the surroundings seemed to have changed. A greenish fog emitted from a little anywhere in the swamp, reducing the visual range to a few meters. Xiamu began to panic and tried to get away the same way she had come from… but everywhere she looked she saw nothing but filthy water. Nowhere could she see anything to step on. She heard how the mourning cry came closer to her. With her eyes full of fear she saw how the fog began to lift, revealing a stone with a creature standing, or rather, floating above it. Xiamu froze in her step as she saw the front part of a cheetah float in the air above the stone, it's hind quarters seemed to dissolve in a grayish smoke that twirled in the wind. The creature opened its mouth, giving away the tortured sound. Xiamu gasped loudly and the creature silenced and opened its eyes to reveal two red dots on pitch-black orbs. It's evil looking eyes fixed on Xiamu for a moment. Then the creature began to float towards her. Xiamu was as petrified, her will was not obeyed by her limbs. The creature stopped in front of her with its black eyes staring straight into hers. Creature: [hoarse voice] well, well, look at what stumbled into my humble home… Xiamu: [stammering in fear] wh… who are you? Creature: [gives her a surprised look] you don't know who I am? I thought everyone knew, and despised my name… I am Chitzikobe… Xiamu: The demon Goddess??? Chitzikobe: [hoarse voice] exactly… well, fallen goddess to be correct… [Coughs] well… [Spits out a greenish substance onto the ground] enough about me… who might you be then, you who dare to venture into my swamp? Xiamu: [shakes in fear] I… I am Xiamu… Chitzikobe: [hoarse voice] ok… and where are you from? Xiamu: I… I used to live in… the… the Jaw lands… Chitzikobe: [hoarse voice] right… Xiamu: but I… I just came from the rock with the cr…crystal crescent… Chitzikobe: [hoarse voice] My old home… do it still exist? Xiamu: y…yes… it does… Chitzikobe: [hoarse voice] I thought they destroyed it completely… never mind… If you excuse me… I have an eternity to endure… The fallen goddess' shape floated back to the rock again. Xiamu stood and stared at the female cheetah, which lower half was only smoke… She took a deep breath to calm herself down a little… Xiamu: [shouts] CHITZIKOBE! The cheetah turned around and fixed her eyes on Xiamu again… Chitzikobe: [hoarse voice] yes? Xiamu: how can I get out from this march? Chitzikobe: get out? Believe me girl… there is no way out from here… if there had been any, I'd found it by now… Xiamu: are you sure? Chitzikobe: Look… it is only the gods that can save you, ok? Xiamu: but… the gods? Chitzikobe: yep, you heard right… the gods… [Sees the claw-marks on Xiamu's cheek] hey… where did you get those? The sudden change of topic confused Xiamu… Chitzikobe: come on, you can tell me… I can't tell anyone… Xiamu: [sighs] I… I don't want to talk about it… Chitzikobe: then don't… you shouldn't do things you don't want to do… Xiamu: I know one thing I don't want to… I don't want stay here any longer… Chitzikobe: well… who wants? But hey… why don't you keep me company for a little while? Xiamu: no offence, but… no thanks… Chitzikobe: not even a century? I feel so lonely here, and visitors are very rare around here… Xiamu: I said no! Chitzikobe: ok, ok… I'll go then… some miracle will save you anyway… The fog began to thicken around the fallen goddess until her shape had vanished completely… Some seconds later, the mourning cry began again, fading like it's source moved away. Xiamu lowered her gaze, looking into the ground. She sniffed a couple of times. Suddenly she saw her own shadow on the ground in front of her. She turned around and saw the glowing shape of another female cheetah… Xiamu: [sighs deeply] oh no… not another one… Cheetress: [kind voice] no Xiamu… I do not live here… I have come to lead you out from here… Xiamu: how? Chitzikobe said that their where no way out. Cheetress: there are no ways for her to get out… but there is one for you Xiamu… and I will lead you to it. The glowing cheetress mentioned for Xiamu to follow her. And for some reason Xiamu felt forced to follow her. The cheetress lead her trough the seemingly endless swamp… Chapter XXXV Refugees Somewhere outside the western border of the pridelands Rasawah and Slodia listened closely to the cubs' tale about how Kubaki had killed their pride, how he took over and what happened to them. Kikafu: … and then they came and brought us to you… Slodia nodded slowly… Slodia: you can feel safe here with Rasawah and me… but we have to find a safer location to live… Leesha, who hadn't spoken much since she had been brought out from her former home, sat and studied the cheetah half-breed. Trying her best to figure out what was so familiar about him. Rasawah noticed that she was gazing on him and gave her a friendly smile… Rasawah: what's the matter kobto zibihi? Haven't you seen a kekaba before? The lioness cub turned her gaze away; accidentally resting it on Kikafu instead… suddenly she saw the similarity between him and Rasawah. Leesha: [turns back to Rasawah] uh… no sir… [Turns to Slodia] Aunt Slodia? Can Kiká and I take a look around here? Kikafu opened his mouth to protest, but Leesha gave him a "keep-quiet" gaze Slodia: well… [Looks at Rasawah] only if either Rasawah or I are with you… Leesha: it's not that far… just over at that tree over there… She pointed in the direction of a tree that stood rather lonely a bit away… Slodia: well… I don't… ah… ok! Leesha: thanks… She poked Kikafu, urging him to follow her… Leesha: come on Kiká! Kikafu followed her to the tree she had mentioned at. He scanned the tree fast, not seeing anything of interest. Kikafu: ok… what's so exiting about that tree? Leesha: it's not the tree, stupid… Kikafu: then what is it? Leesha: it's just a thing I just saw… you and that cheetah Slodia came with… you are so darn alike that one could mistake you for being brothers… Kikafu: [raises an eyebrow] are you kidding? He can't be my brother… he's a cheetah! Leesha: I know… but you still look so darn much alike… Kikafu: [confused] uh… ok… Leesha: you don't get it, do you? He shook his head Leesha: ah… forget about it then… She started to pad back towards Slodia. When they had walked the short distance, they saw that Slodia was discussing something with Rasawah. Slodia saw them as they approached and padded towards them… Slodia: [to Leesha] so… did you find anything? Leesha: no… but [whispers] can I have a word with you… alone? Slodia: [whispers back] sure… Kikafu sat down beside Leesha and looked at Rasawah, trying to figure out what had made Leesha think that they where brothers. Rasawah himself did not take any notice of Kikafu's studying gaze. His attention was fixed on the western horizon. Slodia and Leesha walked away a bit in order to get out of hearing range. Slodia: ok… what's so hush-hush? Leesha: haven't you noticed? How much Kiká and… your cheetah friend reassemble of each other? Slodia: Kiká and Rasawah? [Thinks for a moment] now when you mention it… [Realizes that she's right] it must be a coincidence… Leesha: I don't think it is… I mean… if Rasawah had been a lion, I wouldn't been able to tell them apart… Slodia: well… there's something I haven't told you about him… Rasawah is not a cheetah. Leesha: what do you mean "not a cheetah"? Slodia: one of his parents… his father… was a lion… Leesha: [backs off, chocked] you… you mean that he's a… EW! Disgusting! Slodia: [gives her a stern gaze] Leesha… Leesha: but… a half-breed… it's… it's Slodia: it's what? Leesha: [looks ashamed]… nothing… Slodia: Leesha… do not judge him for what he is! Leesha suddenly remembered the half-demon Dunsj, and how she had tried to convince Slodia that he wasn't evil… a mix of emotions exploded inside her and she began to cry heavily… Leesha: [sobbing] I… I'm sorry… Slodia: [comforts her a little] it's ok Leesha… its ok… The lioness cub snuggled up to her, and in return she laid her paw on the cubs' shoulder. Leesha: [sobbing] I wonder… where h…he is… Slodia: [still comforting her] where who is? Leesha: [sobbing] Dunsj… Slodia: oh… I don't know Leesha… I don't know… At the same time had Kikafu and Rasawah begun to talk a little about their lives… Rasawah: …and then, when I came out from there, she had disappeared… Kikafu: how mean, she even promised that she would be waiting for you… Rasawah: [looks into the ground] yes, she did… and that really opened my eyes to the cruel world… I realized that outcast such as myself are met by hatred and fear… Kikafu: that's unfair! Rasawah: it is… and that's how the world goes round kobto zibihi… unfairness everywhere you see… And at that point, I was so depressed that I saw suicide as the last solution… Kikafu: [chocked] suicide? But you didn't do it… why, what made you change your mind? Rasawah: well… my father, Inkhobi, convinced me that life was worth living… and he even cured me from my stammering… but… I felt that I could stay there anymore… so I left… Kikafu: man, you got to have had a harsh cub hood… [Saddens a little] … I myself lost my brother not so long ago… and I still miss him very much… [Sniffs] I miss my old life… when everything was fine and I had a family… [Begins to sob loudly] why did all this have to happen? Why couldn't that leopard have stayed away? Rasawah didn't really have a clue about how to answer the question, nor did he know how to give the cub any comfort but he tried the best he could… Rasawah: it's… it's just the way the circle goes, kobto zibihi… I don't know how, but I'm sure that Madun had a purpose to make this happen… Kikafu: [still sobbing] who… who is Madun? Rasawah: that, kobto zibihi, is the cheetah goddess… Kikafu: that… that can't be… mom said that there were no other gods… Rasawah: but there are… I have met her myself… in person… Kikafu began to cry heavily again as the memories of his mother began to re-surface in his mind. Pictures of the horrible things that had happened around him revealed themselves over and over again. He covered his eyes with his paws as large tear streamed from his eyes. Rasawah did all he could to console the un-comfortable cub, not taking any notice of a black bird that had begun to circle above them. The bird flew lower and lower until it was close enough to see whom the cub really was. Bubby: [surprised] Kiká? Is that you? Kikafu lifted his head to see who was talking to him… He recognized the crow that hovered in front of him immediately. Kikafu: oh my god… [Sob] Bubby… [Sob] you are alive… The crow landed on the ground in front of the cub… Bubby: I… I thought you were killed with all the others Kikafu: oh Bubby… [Sob] you don't know how happy I am to see you… Bubby: but… how? Kikafu: [sob] that… [Sob] I can't tell you… ask Slodia… [Sob]… Bubby: Slodia? Is she here too? Kikafu: yes… [Sob] she and Leesha are here too… Bubby: [looks hopeful] anyone else? Kikafu: [looks down into the ground] Not anyone that I know of no wait… Aihi and Kamu weren't killed… but I haven't heard or seen anything from them… Bubby: [looks sad] neither have I… Both of them went silent, no one said anything until Rasawah cleared out his throat. Rasawah: I take it, as you two know each other… Bubby: [nods] that's correct Mr.…? Rasawah: Rasawah… Bubby: ok… Rasawah… I am Bubby, the former advisor of the king… [Turns to Kikafu] Kiká, do you know where Slodia is right now? Kikafu: [still looking sad] I do… she's around here somewhere… Bubby: thanks… Just as he took off to find the panthress, she came walking with Leesha on her side… Bubby: hey… she's coming here… [With a stronger voice] Hey! Slodia! Slodia stopped on her paws when she heard and saw the crow. Slodia: Bubby? It's you! But how… Bubby: I was just about to ask you the same ting… but well, you asked first… Slodia: I did… She mentioned for the crow to continue… Bubby: ok… [Takes a short breath] when that leopard and his… pride attacked us, I was far away near the outlands. It was first when I came back that I saw the awful things that had happened. The first thing I did was to scan the lands from above, looking for anyone who might have survived… [Sighs] I found none and fled out here… and now I found the four of you… I'm glad at least some are still alive… A short silence followed. Kikafu came to think of his father and what could have happened to him. Kikafu: Bubby… when did you see dad last time? Bubby: I think I saw him a little before the attack but I'm not really sure… Kikafu lowered his gaze toward the ground and closed his eyes briefly… Kikafu: [with a very sad voice] he is dead… isn't he? Slodia went over to him and sat down next to him. She laid her paw on his shoulder. Kikafu looked up on her for a second without saying anything, then he buried his face in her pelt and began to cry again… Kikafu: [crying] it's unfair… Slodia nodded in acknowledgement and pressed his body to her belly… Slodia: there, there Kiká… let it come out… Kikafu cried himself to sleep in Slodias embrace. Slodia stroked him gently on his head. She looked down upon the unfortunate cub. Slodia: [to Rasawah, still watching the cub] Rasawah, could you pick Leesha up and follow me? Rasawah: sure… But Leesha complained about being carried around, so Rasawah decided to let her walk on her own. Slodia couldn't help but to smile a little at it before gently picking up Kikafu by the scruff of his neck. She made a nod towards Rasawah and Leesha for them to follow her. Both the cheetah and the lioness cub followed the panthress towards a medium sized tree. Slodia began to climb the tree without thinking about the others that weren't as skilled climbers as her. She put the still sleeping cub down into a cavity in the trunk of the tree. Then she looked down at Rasawah and Leesha, who stood and waited for her. Slodia: what's the matter? Aren't you coming or what? Rasawah: [looks up at her] not unless a certain panther comes down and helps us up. Slodia: oh… heh heh, I forgot… stand aside a little and I will be with you… She leapt down the trunk and landed on all four paws. Slodia: ok, I take Leesha first, ok? Leesha mumbled something not hear able as Slodia picked her up. The lioness cub was almost to heavy to carry, but Slodia managed to bring her up the trunk of the tree. The panthress laid Leesha down next to the still sleeping Kikafu in the cavity. Slodia watched as Leesha made herself comfortable next to Kikafu for a while before looking down at Rasawah again. She grinned down at him. Slodia: so, you want help to get up here? Rasawah: yeah… Slodia: all right, I'll be with you too… And once again she leapt down gracefully from the tree and landed in front of Rasawah. She was still grinning to him. Bubby, who had followed them and then had sat down on a branch, had now fallen asleep with his head under one of his wings. Slodia looked up at where she knew the bird was sitting, because she couldn't see him because he did, just like herself, blend into the darkness. Slodia: well… before I get you up there, there is something I want to discuss with you. Rasawah: okay, what is it you want to talk about? Slodia: I want your opinion on however it would be right of me to adopt Kiká and Leesha as my own children… Rasawah: [sits quiet for a second before talking] I… I think you are doing the right thing… I mean a cub needs a mother to take care of it… He sighed sadly as a painful memory of his own childhood resurfaced in his mind… Slodia: fine… [Hears him sighing] Rasawah… what's wrong? Rasawah: nothing… Slodia: come on, it is obvious that something is troubling you big time. Please tell me and I might be able to help you… Rasawah: [turns his head away] I… just came to think of my own time as a cub… I never had a mother who loved and cared for me. And, Kiká and Leesha don't have a mother either, and now they will be adopted by a shaman, exactly like I was… Slodia: that's true. I will do whatever I can to raise them… and I'm sure it would go even better with your help. Rasawah: how do you mean? Slodia: well… it's a little embarrassing actually… I don't know how to hunt, so I thought that you could help out with that… Rasawah: um… then I'm afraid that I have some bad news for you… I never learnt any hunting techniques of Inkhobi… so I am probably a lousier hunter than you are… Slodia: [bites her lip] that is not good. Neither of us knows hot to hunt and we have four mouths to feed… Rasawah: why don't we learn how to hunt by ourselves? It can't be that difficult… Slodia: you really think so? Rasawah: well, we'll never know unless we try, will we? Slodia: you're right Rasawah. [Yawns] we'll start tomorrow ok? I'm tired now… Rasawah: Tomorrow then… Almost simultaneously they started to pad over to the tree where they had left Leesha and Kikafu. When they got there Slodia climbed the tree easily, she had totally forgotten that her spotted friend couldn't climb at all. It struck her just as she pulled herself up on the last branch. Slodia: [looks down at Rasawah] ops… I forgot again… Rasawah: [sarcastically] well, don't let it become a habit… Slodia: I won't… The panthress came down on the ground again, mentioned for Rasawah to cling onto her back and then she climbed the tree with Rasawah hanging like a bag on her back. When both of them where safely on the thickest branch they both lie down and fell asleep almost immediately. Chapter XXXVI The visitor in the night A little while past midnight Kikafu suddenly woke up. He had heard something make noises at the base of the tree. He looked around until he saw Slodia and without any hesitation he sneaked over to her and poked her. Slodia was awakened at once. Slodia: [dowsy] what… Kiká? Kikafu hushed at her and mentioned for her to look down from the tree. She looked where the cub pointed and she saw the shape of some creature. It was too dark for her to see what or whom it was, neither could she see what it was doing. Something about it felt so familiar but she didn't know what it was… Slodia: [whispers to Kikafu] it's ok Kiká, it'll go away in a moment… Kikafu: [whispers back] what is it? Slodia: [whispers] I don't know… but I don't think it's dangerous to us… Kikafu: [whispers] are you sure? There's something spooky about it… Slodia: [whispers] I know, I've felt it too… now you go back to sleep Kiká. I'll keep an eye on it… Kikafu: [whispers] okay aunt Slodia… The lion cub sneaked back to the cavity where he had been sleeping, careful not to make any noise at all. He lie down next to Leesha and fell asleep in a matter of seconds. Slodia lay on her branch and looked down at the creature. She waited patiently for it to leave, but it seemed like it didn't have in mind to go away. Slodia watched as the creature bellow laid itself down at the base of the tree and seemed to be asleep. She kept watching it for a while before she dozed off… The following morning was Rasawah the first to wake up. He yawned widely and forgot that he was up in a tree. He took a step right out into the air and to his surprise he found himself falling downwards. He was even more surprised when his paws didn't hit the soft ground, but the soft belly of a lioness that was lying on her back. The lioness woke up and seemed to be very upset about it… Lioness: Ow! Watch your step spotty! Rasawah quickly got of the lioness. He looked very ashamed because he just had fallen down a tree Rasawah: I'm sorry that I woke you up in that manner zibihi… Lioness: [mutters] you'd better be… The lioness' gaze suddenly met up with Rasawahs. She looked him over as if she had recognized him… Lioness: [surprised] Rasawah? Is that you? Rasawah looked very confused for a second… then he saw something familiar with the lioness in front of him… Rasawah: [unsure] do I know you? Lioness: Of course you do, I'm Dizjuh! Rasawah: Dizjuh? Wha… what are you doing here! Dizjuh (p): now that's a long story… and to make it short [pauses] I came to find you Dizjuh let a quick gaze up the tree where she knew that Rasawah had come from; she made a scowl when she saw Slodias dowsy face look back at her. Rasawah didn't notice Dizjuhs scowl as he continued… Rasawah: well… you found me all right… Dizjuh (p): nah, it seems like you found me, doesn't it? Rasawah: if you put it that way… then I did… Dizjuh (p): [smiles at Rasawah while thinking] damn it, we're not alone [talks] yeah… and can you imagine why I wanted to find you? Rasawah: actually… no, I can't… The lioness grabbed his head with her front paws and pressed her muzzle against his in a long kiss. Rasawah tried to push her away but without succeeding with it. And when Dizjuh finally let go of him he backed off quickly… Dizjuh (p): I… I'm sorry Rasawah… maybe I shouldn't have done that… Rasawah: [calms down a little] no…. it's ok, you just startled me a bit. Dizjuh (p): [smiles] then you maybe liked it too? Rasawah: [blushes and looks away] uhm… yeah… I did… Dizjuh (p): [takes a step towards him] then you maybe enjoy another, wouldn't you? Rasawah: [blushes again] actually… I wouldn't mind at all… The two felines muzzles joined each other in another, long kiss… Slodia, who had been observing everything from above, shrugged and continued to watch. The lioness didn't seem hostile or anything, quite the opposite in fact… After a little while Dizjuh let go of the kiss and looked at Rasawah with a more than friendly smile on her lips… Dizjuh (p): I'll see you around dear… whenever I can… She gave him a quick lick across his nose before she turned around and padded away into the high grass. Rasawah hadn't really gotten over the surprise yet. He sat and looked very puzzled. Suddenly he heard a noise from the tree behind him. He looked up and saw Slodia who was on the edge to burst into laughter. Slodia: [giggles] well… seems like someone really likes you, don't you think Rasawah? He blushed and smiled very foolishly, in a way that made it even harder for Slodia not to laugh straight out. Slodia: [still giggling] sorry… I just can't help it… the two of you down there. You and… [Croons] her, you just looked so cute together… Rasawah continued to smile like a fool while Slodia leapt down and sat down in front of him. Slodia: [calms herself down] forgive me… but you should have seen your own face when you realized that I had seen it all… it was so cute… Rasawah sighed happily and ran his paw slowly over his cheek… Rasawah: yeah right… [Tries to change topic] what a wonderful morning… Slodia: [nods] especially for you… so, [teasing voice] who's your girlfriend? Rasawah: [wears a silly smile] well… her name's Dizjuh… I met her while I was a cub… [Sighs happily] she thought me how to play tag… Slodia: [grins] seems like the two of you really get along good… Rasawah: [plays stupid] how do you mean? Slodia: don't be silly… it is very obvious that you have a crush on her… and she on you… Rasawah: [looks away embarrassed] yeah… kind of… Slodia: [smiles] that's good, isn't it? Rasawah: I guess… Slodia watched how she was making Rasawah uncomfortable by vexing him like she was. She decided to drop the topic… Slodia: well… let's talk about something else shall we? Rasawah: okay [pauses] about what? Slodia: like… um [thinks for a second] like how we should get food for Kiká and Leesha. I bet they will be very hungry when they wake up… Rasawah: sure. Slodia: [looks at Rasawah] good… now here's the plan. We'll roam around until we find something edible, and then we catch it if it isn't too big… Rasawah: [sarcastically] real master plan, huh? Slodia: [smirks] isn't it? Up in the tree, in the cavity, the two young lions began to wake up. And the first thought that ran trough their minds was that they were starving. Slodia heard how Leesha yawned and then she gave Rasawah a quick gaze… Slodia: well… seems like we'll have to find something very quick… unless we want to hear those two complain about it… With no further talk they went out into the grass… After having roamed around the area around the tree, the two felines finally found a lone gazelle grazing all by itself. Both of them crept towards the ground by instinct. Ever so slowly they crept nearer the gazelle, Rasawah went to its right side while Slodia went left. Suddenly the gazelle perked its head high as if something had startled it. One second later its predators came from each side. A few jumps and it was out of harms way and running for its life. The two cats however, couldn't change direction whilst in the air. Yet another second later they collided with each other and fell to the ground, both moaning by pain. Slodia: Ow! [Very annoyed] didn't you see that I leapt for it??? Rasawah: [annoyed too] I beg your pardon! I jumped first… and then you had to ruin it all! Slodia: I ruined it? It was you who couldn't keep quiet! Rasawah: Me? You can't even control your own paws. You just had to step on every thing that could give a noise, hadn't you? Slodia: that's it! I'll go hunting on my own… but don't expect to get anything of what I catch! Rasawah: Fine! Have it your way! Slodia and Rasawah both turned around simultaneously and stomped away in opposite directions. Chapter XXXVII Dizjuhs lie Dizjuh had been watching the failed hunt and the following argument between Rasawah and Slodia. She wore a very malicious and sinister grin on her face. Dizjuh (p): [thinks to herself] isn't this just going my way? All I need is to get Rasawahs full trust… and when I have… She lifted one of her front paws to her face and flexed the claws on it… Dizjuh (p): [thinks to herself] I'll kill him, and I'll be free again… She snickered sinisterly and began following Rasawah… After a while she had almost caught up with him, she could see him walk away in front of her… Dizjuh (p): [Shouts] Rasawah! Wait! The cheetah half-breed stopped and looked back at the lioness across his shoulder. He seemed very surprised to see her… Rasawah: Dizjuh??? Dizjuh went over to Rasawah and sat down in front of him Dizjuh (p): Hie Rasawah… I missed you… Rasawah: uh… okay… I missed you too… Dizjuh (p): [smiles] good to know that someone really misses you, don't you think? Well, I'd better get to the point… She rubbed her head under his, and then she looked into his eyes and saw that something troubled him. Dizjuh (p): is something wrong? Rasawah: no… nothing… Dizjuh (p): come on, something is obviously bothering you. Rasawah: no… Dizjuh (p): [looks offended] if you don't want to talk to me, fine, then I won't bother you anymore. She rose to her paws and turned away from him. Rasawah walked around her so that he stood in front of her. Rasawah: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you Dizjuh… Dizjuh (p): [smiles] it's okay… She crept to the ground, wearing a very broad smile on her lips. A second later she pounced on him, causing him to tip over on his back. Then she quickly seized control over him by pinning him to the ground with her paws. Dizjuh (p): [grins] you know… now I have you where I want you… She licked him across his muzzle and continued to lick his face… Rasawah: uhm… not that I don't like it… but… you didn't have in mind to let me up, did you? Dizjuh (p): hmm… lemme think about it… She looked up into the air and seemed to think about something. After doing that for a second she bent her head down and nuzzled him a little before letting him go. Dizjuh (p): [grins] so… are you going to tell me now? Rasawah: well… I could. But I'm not sure… The last words of his sentence died away as Dizjuh grabbed his head with both her front paws and pressed her muzzle against his… Dizjuh (p): [lets go of him] did that convince you? Rasawah: [smiles] yeah… Dizjuh (p): your going to tell me now? Rasawah: [nods] Dizjuh (p): good. Rasawah sat down on his haunches and told Dizjuh about the hunting failure and how the following dispute ended. The lioness listened closely to what he said… Dizjuh (p): … so you're sulking because of that? Come on, that happens to everyone on their first hunt… Rasawah: are you sure? Dizjuh (p): of course I am. You should have seen how my first hunt ended. I missed a limping gazelle because I underestimated how far away it was. Can you imagine how embarrassed I was? The whole pride just stared at me as if I was a ghost or something. Rasawah: oh… Dizjuh (p): but… I'm a lot better at it now. Hey, I could teach you some about it… if you want, of course… Rasawah: that'd be nice if you did… Dizjuh (p): all right! We'll start tomorrow morning, I'll be waiting for you right here… Rasawah: I'll be here you can count on that… Dizjuh (p): oh… and one more thing. Try to ask your panther friend for forgiveness, I'll think she would appreciate it. Rasawah: okay, I'll try to remember that… Dizjuh (p): [smiles] you'd better remember it She nuzzled him quickly before she padded away and vanished in the grass. Rasawah sat and watched in the direction his would-be hunting instructor had disappeared. Suddenly his ear caught a faint sound of movement somewhere nearby. He crept into a crouching position, ready to jump on whatever it could be. To Rasawahs surprise, someone with a very squeaky voice started to talk… Voice: please… don't hurt me… Rasawah took short breath before rising to his paws again… Rasawah: ok, I won't hurt you… whomever you are Voice: my name is Thezzin, sir… Rasawah: all right Thezzin, could you please step out from the grass so that I can see you? Thezzin: as you wish… A very tawny serval emerged from the high grass. Rasawah looked somewhat confounded at the sight of Thezzin. Thezzin: please don't kill me, Mr. Cheetah… Rasawah: hey, calm down… I won't hurt you. Thezzin: are you sure? Rasawah raised an eyebrow as he heard Thezzins question… Rasawah: what do you mean? Thezzin: Are you sure that you won't kill me? Rasawah: yes, I'm very sure that I don't want to kill you… Thezzin: are you really sure, sir? The serval was beginning to get on Rasawahs nerves with its questions. He lowered his head so that his eyes where in the same height as the servals. Rasawah: would you please stop asking that? I've told you about three times that I will not hurt you. The little serval shivered and made a nod. Rasawah: good. Now tell me, Thezzin, why did you ask that question like you wanted to die? Thezzin gave him a confused look. Thezzin: why do you think that I want to die? Rasawah: that's very easy, you keep asking me not to kill you, even when I said that I wouldn't. Thezzin: yes… you are right. I do want to die. Rasawah: but why? Thezzin: it's because… because… He began to stumble on his words like he was afraid to say what he intended to… Rasawah: because? Thezzin: hang on a second, I can tell you… I WILL tell you… just a moment… It seemed like he was struggling with something unknown inside that tried to hinder him from talking. A few noises emitted from his mouth… Thezzin: I… almost got it… its… because I'm… c…. cus… cur… Cursed! Rasawah: you are cursed? Thezzin: yes… I am… I… must wander around… without any aim at all… I must find my lost girlfriend… and… she is dead… He began to weep silently and the words that came from his mouth where broken by tears. Thezzin: [sobs] that means… that I will [sob] go like this… [Sob] forever… Rasawah didn't know what to say, the servals story seemed so unlikely to him but it also seemed to be true at the same time… Rasawah: hey… I think I know someone that might be able to help you out… Thezzin: [sob] you do? Rasawah: I sure do, come on and I'll lead you to her… Rasawah began to walk towards the tree where he and Slodia used to live. Thezzin followed him closely. When they reached the base of the tree Rasawah sat down and tried to encourage himself… Rasawah: Slodia? Slodia: [from the tree] Go away! Rasawah: Slodia, I'm sorry that I yelled at you… it was my entire fault. Can you forgive me? A short silence followed. Rasawah could now see Slodia there she sat on the lowest branch and watched him. A moment later she leaped down to the ground. Her eyes where quite bloodshot… Slodia: I will… on one condition… that you forgive me… Rasawah: well… sounds fair enough… Before he could pronounce another word had Slodia wrapped her forelegs around his neck in a tight embrace… Rasawah: Slodia… I can't breathe… Slodia: [lets go of him] ops… sorry… Thezzin coughed once, and that was enough to get Slodias attention… Slodia: well, well… shouldn't you introduce me to this friend of yours? Rasawah: oh, I almost forgot… Slodia, this is Thezzin [to Thezzin] and Thezzin, this is Slodia… Thezzin: [stammering] n…nice to meet you. Y… you are a shaman, a… aren't you? Slodia: I am… Rasawah gave the serval a light nudge with his paw at the same time as he cleared out his throat… Thezzin: oh… [To Slodia] I… wonder if you c…could help me… Slodia: well, depends on what you want me to help you with… Thezzin: well… I'm… I have… Once again he began to stumble on his words, no matter how much he tried he couldn't induce himself to say what he wanted to say. Thezzin: … could you say it, Mr. Cheetah? Rasawah: sure Thezzin… [To Slodia] Slodia, Thezzin is carrying a terrible curse and he wants you to get rid of it. Slodia: that shouldn't be any problem… just tell me in what way this curse works... Rasawah: well, he told me that he have to wander around aimlessly, searching for his long dead… uhm… girlfriend… and whenever he tries to tell about the curse, he'll start stammering… Slodia: oh, I know that one… it's called never-ending search… [To Thezzin] do you know the name of the one who cursed you? Thezzin: yeah… it was… cross, or something similar to that… Slodia: [exclaims] Kr´hoz! [To Thezzin] I know him very well, and his curses are far too powerful for me to handle… Thezzin: well… thanks anyway… Slodia: but wait… I know someone who might be able to lift the curse… Thezzin: [hopeful voice] you do? Where can I find this someone? Rasawah: His name is Inkhobi and you'll find him if you continue westwards until you reach the land of cheetahs, from there you can ask your way to him. Thezzin: oh thank you so much Mr. Cheetah and Miss Panthress… I'll go find Inkhobi right away. It was like the servals face had lit up by happiness. Thezzin nodded at Slodia twice before he turned around to walk away. All by sudden Rasawah came to think of something… Rasawah: Thezzin, could you do me one favor? Thezzin: [stops and turns around] sure, Mr. Cheetah… Rasawah: could you send Inkhobi my regards? He'd be very happy if you did… Thezzin: sure, I'll do it Mr. Cheetah… Rasawah: thanks… and it was nice to meet you [sarcastic tone] Mr. Serval… Thezzin laughed at Rasawahs imitation of himself as he once again turned around and this time he padded away… When Slodia and Rasawah couldn't see the little spotted feline anymore, they just looked at each other instead… Slodia: well… there he went… Mr. Cheetah… Rasawah: So, Miss. Panthress wants to be funny… Slodia: yeah… and she knows that she succeeds with it too Rasawah: Mr. Cheetah agrees fully with you… Both of them looked like they could burst out in laughter any second. Slodia began to giggle and some seconds later both of them were laughing out very loud. Kikafu and Leesha, who both had been awakened by the sudden burst of laughter among the adults, gave each other a bewildered gaze… Chapter XXXVIII Watabi's revelation A couple of days later, somewhere in the eastern part of the cheetah lands, two feline shapes laid in the grass. One of them, a lion with crimson fur, was asleep but the other one, a cheetress, was awake and watching the sleeping lion. Watabi: [thinks to herself] he'll go insane when he'll find out that Dizjuh is dead… what am I going to do? The lion jerked a little in his sleep but stopped when Watabi laid her paw on his shoulder… Watabi: [still thinking] I just can't leave him… He has suffered far too much already… and… I care about him. [Pauses] Please Madun… guide me… I know that I don't deserve it, but please tell me what to do… I'd do anything you would ask in return of me… An unnatural silence followed. Watabi felt how a soft wind blew against her face. It carried a sweet scent into her nose-drills, which she was unable to identify. She looked in the direction the wind was coming from, trying to figure out what was causing the scent. She didn't see anything else than the grass waving in the wind. Suddenly she noticed that something behind a kopje, not far away from her current position, was emitting a weak light. A strange feeling came over her at the sight of the light. She felt drawn to its source and before she knew it she was already halfway over the kopje that stood between her and the source of the light. When she finally stood on the top of the hill, she noticed that the light seemed to further away than it had been a while ago. She shook her head and continued towards it. Yet a while later she came to a very large waterhole. The source of the light, a glowing orb, hovered above the surface… Watabi: [to herself] oh my god… The free-floating orb bobbed up and down a couple of times and then it began to come closer to Watabi… Orb: [kind voice] you don't know how right you are Watabi… Watabi's entire mind seemed to yell to her limbs to get her out of there, but somehow her limbs simply refused to do so Watabi: [frightened] who… are you? Orb: oh… I suppose you don't recognize me like this… I am Madun… Watabis mouth fell open. She tried to close it, but it fell open again by astonishment. The orb floated in over the shore, landed on the ground and reshaped into a glowing cheetress… Madun: is this less frightening? Watabi managed to nod but she wasn't really sure what to make out of this revelation. The cheetah goddess took the nod as a yes and continued…ö Madun: I heard your call and I came to you… Watabi: you… you came to… to talk with me? Madun: [nods] Watabi: I… I mean… you listened to me? Madun: of course I did. I listen to everyone who believes in me; well… all except for one… but that person is not you, Watabi. [Pauses] you asked for guidance and I will give it to you. The glowing cheetress mentioned with her paw for Watabi to look into the water. Watabi looked into the dark water and first she didn't see anything but the ripples caused by her breathe. Watabi gasped and a second later the shape changed into Rasawah as a cub… She quickly looked up at Madun. Watabi: Rasawah??? Madun: [nods] yes Watabi… Rasawah. I think you know what you done to him, and it must be a heavy burden for your conscience to bear… Watabi: but… Madun: it is of no use to lie to yourself anymore Watabi… Watabi lowered her gaze in shame. Flashes of her memory popped up inside her head. She saw the sadness that always had been present in Rasawahs face and how he had tried so desperately to make her happy… The truth struck her with full force and she began to whimper… Watabi: [whimpers] what have I done? Her gaze moved over to Rasawah's still present shape in the water. The helplessness was still present in the cubs face… She looked back to Madun, but she couldn't meet the gaze that the goddess sent her… Watabi: [whimpers] what am I going to do? Please tell me… Madun sat silent and calm…. Madun: what does your heart tell you to do? Watabi: I… I must find Rasawah… I'll make everything up to him, everything! Do you know where he is? Madun began to smile in a friendly way and she lifted her paw and pointed eastwards with it. Watabi: can I still make all my errors right? Madun made a nod… Watabi: but… if I search after Rasawah… what would happen to Damu? Who will take care of him? Madun. Unfortunately I cannot foresee what will happen to him. No one can see the future, not even the gods can… Watabi: [sighs] ok… I understand… I'm being torn apart from inside… Damu loves and admires me… But what about Rasawah… would he still love me after all the bad things I've done to him? Please tell me… whom should I go to? Damu or Rasawah? Madun: Let your heart decide Watabi… who do you care most about? Watabi sat silent, pondering on who it could be… She suddenly remembered that she had sent a demon to kill Rasawah. She made her mind up… Watabi: I must find Rasawah… Thank you for your advice Madun… Madun: you are so welcome Watabi… The goddess gave Watabi one last nod before she reshaped into a glowing orb again and zoomed up towards the starlit sky… Watabi followed the glowing orb with her eyes for as long as she could before it had became undistinguishable among the other stars above her. She sighed deeply and started to head eastwards, towards the place where she might find Rasawah… Watabi: [thinks] please forgive me Damu… I will return to you someday… If I can… With slow steps she began her journey towards the east… Chapter XXXIX Integration into darkness Xiamu emerged from the misty surroundings around Chitzikobes swamp. She was happy to feel some solid ground underneath her paws again. The cheetress that had guided her out from the swamp was nowhere to be seen… She came to think of how long it had been since she had entered the damned swamp… Confused she started to lick on her paw… suddenly she felt a bitter taste on her tongue. She looked down at her paw immediately, only to see that she was completely covered in a greenish, slime-like mud… Xiamu: YUCK! [Tries to get the mud off her tongue with her paw, only making things worse] EW! [Spits] I definitely need a real bath now… She looked around and tried to see where the nearest waterhole could be. She saw a bunch of trees stand around something that gleamed like water. Without hesitation she headed that way, but her hopes of getting rid of the stinking mud vanished when she saw that there only where a very small poodle left at the bottom of what seemed to be a very large waterhole in the rain season… She was just about to curse the weather when she felt something touch her belly, or rather, kick inside her… She realized at once what it was… she was pregnant and she knew it. Xiamu: oh no… not that too! I am starting to grow weary of this! [Bites her lip] now I'd better find a safe place where I can live… [Sits down and looks at her slightly large belly] Don't you think? [Pauses for a second] well… silence gives consent… Lets go then! I won't find any place to live unless I look after it… She wondered if she should go back to the crescent rock and beg for forgiveness… maybe they would let her back in when they saw that she was pregnant. She pondered on it for a while before deciding that she never would be forgiven by her former pride… She rose to her paws again and headed westwards, and she didn't stop before the sun had gone bellow the horizon. The long trip had made her totally exhausted and she just collapsed onto her side and fell asleep. The next morning she woke up by the feeling of being stuck in something. Her eyes shot wide open. The first thing she saw was two lionesses and a leopardess, all of them with glowing eyes, glare back at her with indifferent gazes. At first Xiamu was too frightened by the presence of the other felines to care about that the mud that still covered most of her body now had dried up and hardened so much that she couldn't move. First after a couple of seconds she realized that she couldn't get up… Xiamu: [frightened] oh my god… I'm stuck… [Looks to one of the lionesses] Please… help me… Neither the two lionesses nor the leopardess answered to her question. All three of them sat like statues and continued to gaze down at her. Somehow their very presence sent chills down Xiamu's spine… Xiamu: [terrified] Please… you must help me! Still none of them made any answer and their cold gazes did not leave her for one second. Xiamu tried to break free of her mud shell, but her muscles where too drained of energy to even put the slightest crack in the dried mud. Xiamu: [almost panicking] Say something… Talk to me! One of the lionesses seemed to react. Xiamu's hope rose a little, but only too fall again when she saw that the lioness only had turned her head as if she was looking at something. After a while the lioness returned her gaze to Xiamu. Xiamu: [desperate] FOR GODS SAKE! HELP ME!!!! As if someone had waited for her to yell that, an answer came from someplace behind her… Kubaki: calm down… we'll help you… A second later the owner of the voice entered Xiamu's field of vision, it was a rather strong built leopard… Xiamu's eyes filled with terror as she saw that the leopard had exactly the same kind of glowing eyes and cold gaze as the lionesses and the leopardess… Kubaki: [continues] … if you'll join my pride, that is… Xiamu: [desperate] I'll do anything… just help me! Kubaki: Well… [Grins] I'll take that as a yes… [Turns his head to the leopardess] Free her… The leopardess nodded once and skipped over to Xiamu and started to free her from her mud carapace… Kubaki snickered slightly in a way that made Xiamu feel very frightened. Xiamu: [to Kubaki] who are you? Kubaki: [looks surprised] who I am? I am the king around here… Xiamu: okay… I really don't want to be nosy… but how can a leopard be king over a pride? Kubaki: oh… not to worry dear… this "leopard king" tradition has gone in my family for a very long time… Xiamu: oh… its, just a little… how should I say… unusual… Kubaki: unusual… [Nods] maybe… [Changes topic] and you shouldn't forget that you promised to join this pride… Xiamu: [is almost free from the mud] I'm going to keep that promise… your highness… Kubaki: [grins] good. [To the two lionesses] ok girls… how about you two show your new pride sister to the den as soon as Thaneta freed her from the mud… and could you get her something edible [gives Xiamu a quick look] she looks starved… The two lionesses bowed for Kubaki as he padded away. The leopardess nudged Xiamu on her shoulder to let her know that she was freed… Xiamu slowly rose to her paws and stretched out her aching body. One of the lionesses made a notion for Xiamu to follow them… As they came deeper and deeper into the land, Xiamu suddenly got the same creepy feeling as she had when she had been in the jaw lands. But that feeling turned into astonishment when she caught sight of the mighty pride rock… Xiamu: oh my god… isn't that just magnificent? Her words where spoken in vain, the others where ignoring her completely and was already a bit ahead of her… Xiamu: [tries to catch up with them] you don't speak much, do you? It wasn't to any use; the two lionesses and the leopardess didn't listen to her. Xiamu decided to remain silent… Not a word where spoken until they reached the base of the pride rock, where they made a halt and one of the lionesses turned to Xiamu… Lioness: [cold voice] this way. Follow me… Xiamu obeyed her and followed the lioness as she went up the path towards the cave entrance, where they stopped again. Lioness: [cold voice] wait here… Xiamu looked a little puzzled and sat down as the lioness entered the cave and vanished into the depths of it… She looked over her shoulder and saw the lands lay bellow her. She heard someone clear out its throat and she turned her head forwards again… in front of her stood the lioness again, with another leopardess by her side… Lioness: [cold voice] you may enter now… Xiamu padded inside the den, her mind was full of doubt about the weird pride she had run into. She gasped when she saw the rest of the pride lay inside the darkness of the cave. All of them watched her with cold, glowing and indifferent eyes… Xiamu: [sits down and tries to be friendly] uhm… hi, I am Xiamu… None of the lionesses made any expression to show that they had heard her and it seemed like their gazes fell even heavier on Xiamu than before… Xiamu: oh well… [Looks into the ground] nice to meet you too… She sat down on her haunches with her back against a wall and she studied her new pride. She noticed that that all of them where rather strong built and that each of them had exactly the same indifferent look on their faces. It really made her feel uncomfortable and unwelcome to have their cold eyes staring at her. Suddenly someone taped her on her shoulder and she jerked around to face whomever it was… it was one of the lionesses that had led her to the priderock… Xiamu: yes? Lioness: [cold voice] come… we have some food for you… Xiamu: oh… thanks… Lioness: [cold voice] this way… The lioness mentioned for Xiamu to follow her outside. Xiamu followed the lioness all the way down to the base of the priderock, where the other lioness and the leopardess sat with something that could look like an antelope on the ground in front of them… Both of them gave Xiamu a slight nod and mentioned for her to start eating… Xiamu had not eaten for days and the sight and scent of the newly killed antelope made her almost drool. The three other felines watched her as she devoured most of the antelope. When she was sated she gave the leopardess a quick smile before turning to one of the lionesses… Xiamu: well… what should I say… thanks. Lioness: [cold voice] you are welcome… Xiamu: [tries to find something to say] well… I'm Xiamu, what's your name? Lioness: [cold voice] I am Sibati… Sibati's cold gaze seemed to penetrate Xiamu's skin and stare straight trough her. This made her feel even more uncomfortable than before… Sibati: [cold voice] you are pregnant… Xiamu: [surprised] how did you know? Sibati: [cold voice] I saw it on you… Xiamu: [looks away] oh… Sibati: [cold voice] since how long are you due? Xiamu: [unsure] I don't know Sibati… I don't know… A deep silence followed. Xiamu wanted to run away from this pride. A paranoid feeling came over her as she looked around and saw that all three other felines were all staring at her with their cold and harsh gazes. It seemed to her that they could read her mind and she didn't dare to meet their gazes. She perked her ears when she suddenly heard someone approach from her left side; she turned her head and saw Kubaki come padding towards her… Xiamu: Hello your highness… Kubaki: good day to you too… have you sated your hunger now? Xiamu: [nods] yes, I have… Kubaki. Good…[pauses] you know, I never caught your name… Xiamu: oh, I've must have forgot my manors somewhere… I am Xiamu Kubaki: Xiamu… okay… [Pauses] do you like it here? Xiamu knew that she couldn't lie to him… she felt like she wasn't welcome there… Xiamu: no… I don't… Kubaki: [confused] no? Is something wrong? Xiamu: yes… everyone here seems so unfriendly… Kubaki. Then I'll fix that in a hurry… [To Sibati and the leopardess] come on girls… All of the present cats, including Xiamu, went back up the path to the entrance and into the den. The lionesses inside smiled to Kubaki and greeted him by rubbing their heads against his… Kubaki cleared out his throat… Kubaki. Enough girls… it has come to my attention that you have treated our new pride member, [points at Xiamu] Xiamu, very bad… Some of the lionesses seemed to be ashamed… Kubaki: [continues] … so… let's take this from the beginning again… this is Xiamu, your new pride sister… Xiamu, who had been very silent, looked at the lionesses and saw how their indifferent faces changed into friendly ones… and before she knew it they where all greeting her warmly and introducing themselves… Chapter XXXX False sanctuary Xiamu's first night in the pridelands where haunted by nightmares. She dreamt of her exile from the Crescent Pride… the scene kept playing over and over again and the words that Aihatu had spoken echoed in her mind… Very early the following morning Xiamu where shook back to life by Kubaki… Kubaki: rise and shine Xiamu… time to wake up… Xiamu: [startled] huh? Wha? Oh… good morning your highness… Kubaki: good morning to you too Xiamu… well, there's something I think that you might like to see… follow me and I'll show it to you… Xiamu: [not fully awake] All right, you lead the way… Kubaki led Xiamu out from the den and on another path than the one that led to the ground. After a while both of them stood at the very top of the priderock. Kubaki sat down and mentioned for Xiamu to do the same… Kubaki: well… I thought you'd like to see the sun rise… it's really an astonishing sight… Xiamu didn't reply because she was already spellbound by the magnificent view she had. But she really lost herself when the sun finally rose above the horizon and when its first rays lit up the lands bellow her… Kubaki: beautiful, isn't it? Xiamu: yes… it is… None of them spoke another word until the sun had risen completely above the horizon and begun its travel across the sky… Kubaki: [sighs] I wish I could do this more often… Xiamu: [confused] do what? Watch the sun rise? Kubaki: yeah… [Smirks] and with a beautiful lioness by my side… Xiamu: [surprised] you're not attempting a move on me, are you? Kubaki: [grins] no, not at all… I just gave you a compliment… Xiamu: oh… [Looks away] thanks… Kubaki: you're welcome. [Pauses and changes topic] oh well, we'd better get down to the others… or we'll might end up without any breakfast… Xiamu: yeah… Both of them rose to their paws again and went down the path that they had come from. When they reached the ground again Xiamu was surprised to see that the pride already where waiting for them with a newly killed zebra in front of them. Xiamu: [surprised] how did they know? Kubaki: well they just know, I don't know how, but they do… Xiamu: [not really convinced] okay… Kubaki: ah, anyway… since you still are new here, I'll give you the honor of eating first… Xiamu: thank you, your highness… Xiamu began to eat of the zebra. She was totally unaware of what happened around her. Kubaki sat and studied her looks in detail. Suddenly he saw her over-large belly and made a slightly visible scowl… When Xiamu had sated her hunger she went back over to Kubaki. The first thing she saw was that he was scowling… Xiamu: is something wrong? Kubaki: no… everything is fine… He replaced the scowl with some kind of half-hearted smile… Xiamu: come on… is it something about me? Kubaki: yes… it is… who is the father to your cubs? Xiamu: [confused] what do you mean? Kubaki: you are pregnant… and I want to know who the father is… Xiamu: [looks into the ground] I… I don't want to talk about him… Kubaki: it's ok Xiamu… I didn't mean to push you… Xiamu: [sniffs] thanks… Kubaki: then I won't ask you about your past either…. Xiamu: no… [Sniffs] that hurts too much… Kubaki: I understand Xiamu…[Pauses] you know… my mother once told me that it could make one feel better if you spoke with someone about painful memories… Xiamu: [sniffs and looks at him] your mother was right… I'll tell you some of my past… but please excuse me if I start to cry… Kubaki: of course Xiamu… Xiamu began to tell about the time she had lived in the Jaw lands and how she, Ba´koi, Fiziju and Kevee had lived alone. She also told a little about how Timba had come into her life… Kubaki made an unnoticeable scowl when he heard the names of the two lionesses he had allowed to escape… Xiamu: [continues] … and then they exiled me… and… [Places her paw on her belly] me and those little buggers have been on our own all until we got here… Kubaki gave her a nod… Kubaki. I really hope that you will feel better here… Xiamu: [smiles] me too… Kubaki: oh well, I'd love to talk more with you, but I have my duties as a king to attend to… Xiamu: ok… see you later then, I suppose… Kubaki: yes, see you later Xiamu… The leopard rose to his paws and padded out on the savannah. Xiamu saw how one of the present leopardesses also rose up and bounced after him in a very playful way. Xiamu shrugged and went over to the other members of her new pride and after a couple of minutes she had came into the conversation… Sibati: [still cold voice] so Xiamu… have you figured out any names for your offspring? Xiamu: no, I haven't thought of it that much… Sibati: [cold voice] then you and Thaneta are equal… she hasn't made up her stupid mind about her cubs yet… Xiamu didn't reply, she felt hurt by Sibati's words… For some odd reason she decided to go to the leopardess after all. She rose to her paws and went over to Thaneta, who laid stretched out on a boulder nearby… Xiamu: [to Thaneta] hie there… Thaneta: [indifferent] hello… Xiamu: hmm… how are you then? Thaneta: [indifferent] I'm fine… how about you? Xiamu: I'm not complaining… [Pats her tummy] but these little sweethearts are giving be a hard time… Thanetas indifferent face changed immediately into a very friendly one... Thaneta: [suddenly cheerful] hey, congratulations girl… Xiamu: heh… thanks… and… I see that you are expecting cubs too… Thaneta: yeah… I am… Xiamu: [grins] you wanna bet who gives birth first? Thaneta: I'm up for that… if I win, [grins back] you'll be my cub sitter Xiamu: and vice versa if I win… anyway… have you figured out any names for your cubs yet? Thaneta: no… not really… Xiamu: heh, I haven't done that either… Thaneta: why don't we help each other then? Xiamu: yeah, why not? Xiamu climbed up on the boulder and laid down beside Thaneta and a couple of seconds later, both of them where busy making up possible names of their cubs… Some while later Kubaki and the other leopardess returned. The leopardess rubbed her head affectionately under Kubaki's… Xiamu had no doubts about what kind of "duties" Kubaki had attended to… She smirked and went over to them… Xiamu: hello again your highness. Kubaki: hie Xiamu. [To the leopardess] well, guess I see you later Anasti… Anasti: [nuzzles Kubaki] see you, my love… Anasti skipped happily away towards Thaneta, giggling like a cub all the way… Xiamu: [vexing] so… how were your "duties"? Kubaki: well, if you want any details, then ask Anasti… Xiamu: [grins widely] all right… She noticed that Sibati rose from the group of lionesses and came padding towards them… Sibati: [to Kubaki, hopeful voice] is it my turn to have your attention now? Kubaki: soon, Sibati… soon… The lioness gave him an disappointed gaze, turned around and stomped back towards the other lionesses again… Xiamu: [puzzled] what's with her? Kubaki: she's just a little upset because she thinks that I haven't shown her enough attention… she is, so to say, my lioness mate… Xiamu: your WHAT? Kubaki: my lioness wife… I forgot that you aren't used to our customs yet… Xiamu: well, could you tell me a little about your customs… so that I don't screw anything up? Kubaki: sure, why not? Ok, as you already know, the king is a leopard and he must have at least one lioness mate and one leopardess mate. He don't have to be as affectionate towards the lioness as he is towards the leopardess… and as you might have noticed, Sibati is very jealous on my two leopardess mates… Xiamu: well, it is very hard to miss that… Kubaki: [continues] and now she's afraid that you should take her place as my lioness wife just because I spent some time with you… Xiamu: I really wonder what's going on inside her head… I mean, does she really think that I want to take her place? Kubaki: [smirks] who knows… maybe one day… Xiamu: hey? Kubaki: [laughs] I was just kidding Xiamu… Xiamu: heh, you really scared me there… Kubaki: [looks surprised] I did? Xiamu: yes you did… and now I think that you should go make things right with Sibati, before she gets any more twisted ideas… Kubaki: your probably right… see you… Kubaki smiled at her before he turned around and went towards the group of lionesses. There he started to nuzzle Sibati. Xiamu shrugged and went back to the two leopardesses. Anasti: hie Xiamu. Xiamu: hello Anasti… and welcome in the club… Anasti: hey? How did you know? Xiamu: I might be a lioness, but I'm not stupid… [Grins] I saw the two of ya. Anasti: [blushes and looks away] oh… heh… damn… Xiamu: nothing to be ashamed of… Anasti: you're right [turns to Thaneta] or is she? Thaneta: why do you look at me? Anasti: well, could be because you have the experience… Thaneta: yeah right, you know I'd beat that back into your mouth if you hadn't been pregnant… Anasti: Hey! I could beat you with all my paws tied up… Thaneta: [mocking] That I'd like to see… Xiamu: [interrupts] Hey Girls, no fighting here Thaneta: … ok… Anasti: yeah, you're right Xiamu… we future mothers must stick together… Xiamu: [looks at her, smirking] do I have your word on that? She put her paw down on the ground in front of the two leopardesses. Anasti and Thaneta quickly put their own paws on Xiamu's… Anasti: you got my word on that… Thaneta: you got mine too… Xiamu: great! [Grins] no one will ever mess with us… Thaneta: not even that sourpuss Sibati… Anasti: yeah, she'd better treat us with some respect… Xiamu: yup, or else… [Snickers] we'll deal with her… The lioness and the leopardesses began to snicker and finally to burst out into laughter… The other lionesses who where a bit away, just looked at their laughing pride sisters… Chapter XXXXI Evil revelation A week later Xiamu had completely adjusted herself to her new pride. Everyone except for Sibati was friendly towards her. She had a very un-easy relation with Sibati. Sibati seemed to be jealous because Kubaki still showed Xiamu more attention than he showed her. It was obvious to Xiamu that Sibati hated her, but she never told anyone about it… On the night to the eight-day of her stay in the pridelands Xiamu suddenly fell into labor and gave a swift and almost painless birth to a little orange-tanish lioness cub. The rest of the pride, and especially Kubaki, stared astonished at the little furball that laid nursing Xiamu's stomach. Some of them congratulated her… And after a couple of "aw, how cute" and "what a little angel" the pride finally went to rest again… The following morning Xiamu woke up because something lay squirming next to her face. Her eyes sprung up and the first thing she saw was her little daughter… She watched how the helpless and meowing little furball made her way to Xiamu's milk. Xiamu couldn't help to smile; she was just so happy that she could explode… Xiamu: [whispers to her cub] aren't you a little Sweetheart… She checked the gender of her cub and saw that it was a little girl… Xiamu: my little N'dina… She laid her head down and felt how her daughter kneaded her tummy with its tiny little paws… Suddenly she heard someone snicker behind her… Thaneta: heh… looks like I lost the bet… Xiamu: yeah… this is N'dina… isn't she cute? Thaneta: very cute… The leopardess padded into Xiamu's field of vision… but something was wrong about her, Thaneta's face had suddenly changed back into one of cool indifference… Xiamu: Thaneta… What's wrong? The leopardess did not answer to her question. She sat statue-like in appearance and gazed down at Xiamu from a cold and emotionless face. Xiamu started to feel the same thing as she had done when she had first entered the pridelands… She looked around and saw that the rest of the pride had turned to be exactly like they had been when she first came there… After she had let her gaze move over the cold faces of her pride she suddenly saw something she hadn't noticed before… a pair of boots… She looked perplexed at the boots and saw that they was placed on two legs… she followed the legs upwards until she saw what it was… it was Kubaki's human soldier Bob McMorris, He stood and looked down at her with his arms crossed in front of his chest… Distinctively she shoved her cub up between her front legs to protect her… She also began to search for Kubaki with her gaze and she got a minor shock when she saw that he had suddenly appeared next to her… Xiamu: [frightened] I'm so glad to see you… What happened to them… and what IS that? She pointed first at Thaneta and then at the human… Kubaki: don't worry about them, Xiamu… Xiamu: [terrified] don't worry??? Look at them! Kubaki: calm down… its time that you learn to know the truth Xiamu… Xiamu: [terrified] what do you mean? Kubaki: I believe you've heard my name from your… former pride… I am Kubaki. Xiamu: [shakes her head in denial] no… you can't be… this can't be true… Kubaki: I think your dear friends told you how I drove them away from this land… Xiamu: [almost crying] NO! Kubaki: now… look deeply into my eyes Xiamu… Xiamu couldn't meet his burning gaze with her eyes, but he forced her to look into his eyes by holding her muzzle with his paw… Xiamu tried to run, but her limbs simply refused to obey her bidding… Kubaki: now that's my good girl… [Looks at N'dina] oh… what do we have here? Aw… what a little cutie… Xiamu: [sniffs] You leave her alone… Kubaki let go of her muzzle and stroked the little squirming infant with his paw. Xiamu tried desperately to make her paws smack his paw away, but to no use… Kubaki: don't worry Xiamu… I would never hurt a cub… not even yours. [Grins] Now you tell me… what's her name? Xiamu: [shivers and sniffs] I'll never tell you… Kubaki seized control over her muzzle again by grabbing it with his paw. He moved it so that her gaze met his own… Kubaki: do you remember what I said a couple of days ago? I said mentioned something about you being my lioness wife, do you recall that? Xiamu: [sniffs and says something inaudible] Kubaki: that was what I thought… He began to stare intensely into her eyes; his gaze was like a burning flame inside Xiamu's mind… Kubaki: now… it's time for you to become my… Lioness mate… Xiamu felt how Kubaki's gaze burned even more inside her head when he said the word "mate"… Xiamu: [sniffs and screams] What are you doing to me??? Kubaki: haven't you figured that out yet? You will be the mother of our future cubs… Xiamu screamed for help, but the pride sat silent and looked in other directions. Thaneta gently picked her cub up and carried her away. Xiamu wanted to run away, but her limbs where as if frozen to the ground beneath her. Kubaki grinned evilly as he walked around and behind her helpless body… Chapter XXXXII Mother and son Rasawah's and Dizjuh's became more and more frequent as time passed by. Most of the time they spent together spent Dizjuh to teach Rasawah how to hunt. But on some occasions they just sat and snuggled up tight to each other… Both of them sat next to each other under the starlit sky and watched the stars… Dizjuh (p): Rasawah? Rasawah: [dreaming voice] yes… Dizjuh (p): I love you… Rasawah: I love you too nam zibihi… Dizjuh (p): [giggles in a cubbish way] I just love when you call me that… She nuzzled him warmly with her muzzle… Dizjuh (p): how was it you said… nam bitikibi? Rasawah smiled and kissed her on her nose… Rasawah: ban nam zibihi… Dizjuh (p): you are my lovely cheetah… [Thinks for herself] and soon to be dead cheetah… [Talks] tell me, could you do me a favor? Rasawah: I'd do anything for you dear… Dizjuh (p): then… [Smiles] could you close your eyes for a moment? I have something for you… Rasawah: sure, no problem… Rasawah closed his eyes tightly, waiting patiently… Dizjuh (p): and no sneak peeking until I tell you to open your eyes again… Rasawah: [grins] do I look like a cheating cheetah? Dizjuh (p): [giggles] no… Dizjuh padded away a couple of steps, closed her eyes and started to mumble inaudible arcane spells for herself. Suddenly her skin cracked open between her shoulders and all the way down her spine. Little by little she began to tear her skin off, thus revealing the spotted body of her true identity… Watabi had after a lot of difficulties found out where Rasawah should be… she had the feeling that something very bad would happen if she didn't find him soon… Dizjuh had almost taken all of her pelt off. Only her head was remaining of her old self, the rest was a gory, blood-covered mess of spotted fur… Rasawah began to grow weary of waiting any longer… Rasawah: [totally unaware] can I look now, Dizjuh? Dizjuh (p): but of course, dear… He opened her eyes and his happy face twisted instantly into one of fear and horror… Rasawah: [Horrified] Oh my GOD!!! Dizjuh took hold of her head with both of her paws and began to push it forwards. Her face wrinkled like a raisin as the skin on her head where pushed forwards. The blood ran like a flood down her legs when the mask came off. Rasawah stared straight into the red ruby-like eyes of the half-demon Dunsj… Dunsj: Peek-a-boo, Filthy one! Rasawah stood as petrified as Dunsj let go of what once had been Dizjuh's face but now only were a blood stained mess of creamy fur… Dunsj: now, if you haven't figured, you're going to die… Without any warning he leaped at Rasawah and knocked him of his paws. He quickly seized control over Rasawahs throat with one of his paws… Dunsj: [snickers evilly] you know… the real Dizjuh really loved you… so I'm actually doing you a favor by sending your filthy carcass to her side… Rasawah momentarily regained control over him own body and managed to pull himself out of Dunsj's grip and then he quickly got up on his paws, facing the blood-covered half demon… Dunsj: [mocking voice] why postpone the inevitable? Rasawah: [enraged voice] because I want to kill you first… Dunsj: [laughs insanely] hey, that was a good joke, do you have more of them, huh? Do you? Give up now, and your death will be as swift as a breeze during the afternoon. Rasawah: Never! Dunsj: [grins evilly] I really wished for you to say that… Once again the half-demon attacked Rasawah, but with lesser luck this time… Rasawah managed to dodge the attack. Dunsj backed off a couple of steps, still grinning sinisterly. It seemed like his body turned transparent. Rasawah saw how Dunsj faded away in front of his eyes and disappeared into thin air… Dunsj: [invisible] where am I now? Can't the poor little cheetah bastard see his executioner? Rasawah: [looks around cautiously] why are you doing this? Dunsj: I could tell you… Dunsj became visible again and caught Rasawah off guard and knocked the air out of him. Dunsj quickly pined him to the ground…. Dunsj: [continues] … but that would spoil the fun, wouldn't it? [Laughs evilly] well… I suppose I'll see you in hell some day… The half demon extracted the claws on one of his front paws and held it in front of Rasawah's face. Dunsj: would you like to suffer a little before you die? Rasawah tried to say something but Dunsj slammed his claws into his unprotected muzzle to keep him quiet… Dunsj: I'm glad that you agreed with me… He began to rip in Rasawah's face with his claws, still holding him firmly pinned to the ground. He cut up long gashes raging from the tip of Rasawah's nose, up between his eyes and to the base of his neck. The half demon raised his, by Rasawah's blood covered, paw to his own face. He snickered and his eyes gleamed with a glowing red fire inside them. Then he licked the blood of one of his claws… Dunsj: hmm… not bad… not bad at all… I bet your soul tastes the same… He continued to cut Rasawah's face with his claws, covering Rasawah's entire head with blood while doing so… After a while he seemed to be bored with torturing his victim any further… Dunsj: nah… Bon Voyage, Filthy one! He lowered his muzzle towards the base of Rasawah's neck, grinning sinisterly while listening to Rasawah's helpless whimpering… Suddenly Watabi came lunging trough the high grass… She had heard and recognized Dunsj's voice… Watabi: [yelling] DON'T TOUCH MY SON!!! Dunsj just had time to turn his head towards the charging cheetress before she slammed herself into his body and knocking him away from Rasawah… Dunsj rose up with a confused look on his face. Watabi leaped over to him and cuffed him hard across his face, sending him to the ground again. Watabi: [threatening voice] don't you ever touch him again, understood? Dunsj: [totally confused] but? Watabi cuffed him again… Watabi: don't you get it? I hereby lift the curse! So piss off before I kill you… Dunsj: [angrily] as you wish… I will go… He rose to his paws again and rubbed his cuffed cheek with his paw. He sent an cold gaze to Watabi with his ruby-like burning eyes before he turned around and padded away westwards… Watabi followed the still blood-covered half-demon with her eyes for as long as she could. When he finally had gone out from her sight, she snorted in that direction before she turned her attention to her wounded son… Watabi: [to Rasawah] Rasawah? Are you ok? Rasawah managed to lift his blood-soaked and seriously cut head. He stared at his mother with eyes filled of fear… Rasawah: [weak voice] m… mother? Watabi: yes… it is I my son… are you all right? She began to lick the blood away from Rasawah's face. She noticed that a single tear made it's way from his eye and down to the ground…. Rasawah: [weak voice] I… think so. [Pauses] Mom… c…could you help m…me to Slodia? Watabi: sure honey… just tell me where to find Slodia… Rasawah tried to get up on his paws, but he was too wobbly on his paws and was just about to fall back to the ground when Watabi supported him with her own body… Rasawah: [weak voice] its not far… [Nods in an direction] it's that way… Watabi: I'll get you there honey… don't worry, everything is going to be fine… Rasawah stumbled as he took a step in the direction of where Slodia lived but Watabi leaned against him and prevented him from falling again… Rasawah: [weak, frightened voice] mom… I'm so… scared… Watabi: I'm here and I won't let anything hurt you again… Rasawah and Watabi continued slowly towards Slodias tree. And after a long while, and a great effort from Watabi, they reached the base of the tree that served as a home for Rasawah… Rasawah: [weak voice] here it is… Slodia should be around… Watabi: shh now, I'll get your friend… She helped Rasawah to lie down on the ground before she turned towards the tree… Watabi: [yells up the tree] SLODIA!!! The panthress showed herself a second later on a branch of the tree… The first thing she could see in the pale moonlight was Rasawah lie on the ground… Slodia: oh my god… Rasawah! She jumped down from the branch and directly down to the ground. She proceeded towards Rasawah and began immediately to lick his wounds and the now dried blood from his face… Slodia: [worried] what have happened to you? She didn't expect any answer and continued to clean out his wounds. Watabi sat silent and watched as the shaman did her work. After a while Slodia had finally cleaned the last wound on Rasawahs face and was now busy patching the wounds with leaves that she found nearby. Watabi: [concerned] will he be all right again? Slodia: [a little relieved] yes… he will… it wasn't as bad as it looked. He'll be all right again. [Looks at Rasawah] He's asleep now; we'd better let him do that… it would be the best for him… Watabi didn't listen to the last part of what Slodia said. She went over to Rasawah's side and stroked him gently across his untouched neck… Watabi: [to Rasawah] did you hear that? You will be fine again… Slodia looked a little confounded by Watabi's behavior and she cleared out her throat. Watabi patted Rasawah one last time before she went back to Slodia… Slodia: I'd like to thank you for bringing him here, cheetress… Watabi: oh well… most people would have done the same, wouldn't they? Slodia: that's true… but tell me… do you know what happened to him? It looks like he's been in a fight… Watabi: [looks somewhat guilty] I do know what happened… He was attacked by a demon named Dunsj… Slodia scowled slightly as she heard that name… Slodia: I know who that is… I've met that half-demon before. I really wonder why he would attack Rasawah… Watabi: [looks very guilty] I know why… I sent him to do it… Slodia: [chocked] You did? Watabi: [ashamed] it's the biggest mistake I've ever done… but I have realized my foolishness now… and I almost came too late to save him… Slodia: [calms herself down] ok… [Changes topic] well… anyway… we haven't been properly introduced yet… I am Slodia… Watabi: Kiah Watabi… the mother of Rasawah… Slodias mouth fell open as she stared surprised at Watabi… Slodia: you are his… mother? But… he told me that you despised him above anything else… Watabi: that was true… I hated him for no reason… [Sighs] but I think better of it now and I want to try to correct at least some the errors I've made… Slodia: well… looks like you've had a good start… Watabi: yeah… but please don't tell Rasawah that I sent that demon… I want to do it myself… when the time is ready… Slodia: sure, no problem… Watabi: [smiles] thanks… The cheetress sent a gaze towards her son. She stroked his neck fur gently with her front paw, careful not to touch the patched wounds on his head… Rasawah moaned in pain and seemed to wake up from unconsciousness. The first thing he saw was Slodias concerned face… Rasawah: Slodia… I had such a strange dream… I dreamt that something very evil attacked me. And that my mother came and saved me from the evil… Watabi stroked his neck once again Watabi: it wasn't a dream, kobto nim. I did save your life… Rasawahs head turned to face Watabi. He stared wide-eyed at his mother as if she had been a ghost… Rasawah: [cautious voice] Mother? Without saying anything Watabi embraced her son warmly. Rasawah couldn't help that tears began to stream from his eyes. Tears of happiness… Watabi: [still embracing Rasawah] yes… it is I, my son… I came to try to undo all the bad things I've done to you. She let go of him and looked into his eyes… Watabi: can you ever forgive me for what I did? Rasawah: [smiles, still crying] I… forgive you faha… Watabi smiled back, her whole face radiating happiness and motherly love towards Rasawah. They held on to their embracing of each other, Rasawah crying of happiness… Leesha and Kikafu, who had been awakened by all the commotion at the ground, sat on one of the lower branches of their tree and watched Watabi curiously… Kikafu: Who's that with Rasawah? Leesha: I don't know… [Watches them] and what are they doing anyway? It looks like they are hugging each other… Kikafu: [catches a glimpse of Rasawah's patched up face] Am I seeing wrong, or is Rasawah's face covered in something? Leesha: I can see it too… [Sees Slodia sit nearby] hey… there's aunt Slodia… let's go ask her, I'm sure she knows something about this… Kikafu: yeah, lets do it… They quickly climbed down the branch of the tree and got safely to the ground. Then they padded over to Slodia, who was watching Rasawah and Watabi… Leesha nudged the panthress in her side with a paw, making the shaman jerk startled around… Slodia: who… oh… it's you two… Kikafu: uhm… Slodia… who's that with Rasawah? Slodia: oh… that's his mother… Leesha: his mother? But… Slodia: She helped Rasawah to get here… Kikafu: but… I thought he said that his mother despised him… Slodia: well… she changed her mind about him… Leesha: [looks over at Rasawah again] Slodia… What happened to Rasawah anyway? Slodia: [sighs] he was attacked… by a demon. Watabi saved his life… Leesha: oh my… Leesha began to walk over towards Rasawah but Slodia stopped her by taking hold of the young lioness' tail with a paw… Slodia: could you leave the two of them alone for yet a while? I think they need it… Leesha: well… ok then… Slodia: [sighs] thanks… [Pauses] Well… I'd better tell you what I've been thinking of for some while now… Kikafu: well… let's hear it then… Slodia: [takes a deep breath] I've decided to adopt the two of you as my own children… The cub and the young lioness couldn't get themselves to say anything in response. They tried to speak, but their mouths only opened and closed without emitting any sound… Slodia: [continues] … I made this decision because I thought it would be good for you to… well… I don't know what to say… [Looks into Kikafu's eyes] I… [Pauses] you don't have to call me mom if you don't want to… Leesha was at the edge of crying and Kikafu had lowered his gaze towards the ground… Slodia: [looks at Kikafu] Kiká, what's wrong? Kikafu: [sniffs] nothing… Slodia: is it because I adopted you? Please tell me, I have to know… Kikafu: [looks at Slodia, almost crying] I… thought of Pinja… and that you… [Sob] would take her place… The panthress moved over to the lion cub and put her paw on his shoulder to comfort him… Slodia: No Kiká, I would never take her place… Kikafu: [sobs] I know… that you wouldn't… [Sob] I miss her so much… Slodia: [rubs his shoulder with her paw] we all do, Kiká… She looked straight into Kikafu's tear stained face. She saw how he suffered from the loss of his mother. Within a second had she picked up both Leesha and Kikafu in a tight hug… Almost at the same time Watabi and Rasawah let go of each other… Rasawah: [sighs] I've missed you so much mom… Watabi: I missed you too, Rasawah… you have no idea how my bad conscience have been haunting me in my dreams… I've been so stupid and neglecting… If it hadn't been for me and my stupidity, we would have been a happy family… you, I, your siblings and your father… Rasawah: don't blame yourself, faha… no one can change the past… Watabi: your right, my son… but I can try to make those bad things I've done goods again, can't I? Rasawah nodded as answer. Then they just looked at each other as if no one had anything to say at all… After a while Rasawah came to think of his siblings and what had become of his brother, who was still alive… Rasawah: how is Conhaba? Watabi: he's fine… he lives with his mate now… Rasawah: I only talked to him very briefly once. [Looks into Watabi's eyes] tell me, faha, what was he like when he was a cub? Watabi: he… was a very curious one… I don't know why, but he enjoyed examining every prey I brought home. He was always eager to learn new things… Rasawah: … how about Ibihaza? Watabi: well… she wasn't near half as lively as Conhaba was. She was more calm and relaxed in a way that almost made her the complete opposite of her… [Corrects herself] your brother… She even remembered you… she… she always asked where her… other brother was… I… [Starts to weep] I… told her that… [Sob] she'd never had any other sibling than Conhaba… [Sob] and now… it's too late to tell her the truth… Rasawah: [looks into the ground] may Madun watch over her soul… Watabi nodded slowly as she wiped the tears from her eyes with one of her paws. She sent a gaze towards Slodia and saw that the panthress shaman was hugging two young lions very tight… then she returned her eyes to Rasawah. They didn't say anything to each other, but somehow they both knew that they should go to Slodia. They padded simultaneously over to Slodia and waited for the shaman to notice them… After a couple of seconds Slodia noticed them and gave them a nod… Slodia: … Did things sort out well for you? Watabi: yes, we've forgiven each other [turns to Rasawah] haven't we, my son? Rasawah: [nods] we have… Slodia: [smiles] that's good [turns to Kikafu and Leesha] well then, children. Say hello to Rasawah's mother… Leesha and Kikafu took both a deep breath each and then they looked at Watabi… Leesha: hello… I'm Leesha… Kikafu: and I am Kikafu… [Seems curious] didn't you… Oof! Leesha had given him a sharp elbow in his side and a stern gaze into his eyes. Kikafu got her point and didn't say what he had intended to say. Kikafu: uhm… never mind… Watabi: [smiles at them] nice to meet you two… kiah Watabi. Leesha: [smiles back] nice to meet you too Watabi… Kikafu gave Watabi a somewhat half-hearted smile. He didn't really know what to make out of this. Watabi's sudden appearance and that she did not hate her son anymore… it was too weird for him to get any grasp around it at all. In the middle of his thoughts he suddenly yawned widely and remembered that it was in the middle of the night. And before he knew it, he had fallen asleep, leaning towards Leesha. Watabi smiled as she saw how the young lioness gently guided the sleeping cub from herself and to the ground… Watabi: well… I'd say good night now, if you don't mind… Slodia: no, I don't mind at all… sleep well… Slodia picked the sleeping Kikafu up by the scruff of his neck and climbed up into the tree with him. Leesha came up into the tree shortly after. Rasawah remained on the ground. He checked all the wounds he could see, but he could only imagine how badly his face was. His entire head seemed to be sore but he managed to block the pain out. His mother was back, and she loved him, that gave him comfort enough to ignore the pain. He looked around and saw that Watabi had laid herself on the ground nearby. He went over to her and lay down next to her and fell asleep… Watabi moved closer to him and started to groom the fur on his shoulders and a smile of happiness formed on Rasawah's lips… Chapter XXXXIII Closing vengeance Nearly a month later the members of the crescent pride sat gathered within the cave of the crystal crescent. Timba had gathered them there because he wanted to announce something very important… The wounds from the loss of his wife and son had not yet healed and his face had succumbed into bitterness, but he hadn't given up and his new pride knew it… Timba: I do not know if all of you would agree on what I am about to tell you… The lionesses in the pride looked at each other, not really knowing what to do… Kamu: well… let's hear it then… Timba: [continues] I azk you if you would help me to retake the pridelandz… If you are not with me, then I will do it myzelf… He watched the faces of his pride, one by one, waiting for any reaction from their side. Aihatu saw how a faint hope glowed within Timbas eye. She took a single breath… Aihatu: I am with you Timba… Now each of the remaining lionesses replied… one by one… Ba´koi: count me in… Kamu: you won't be alone! Timba wore a weird grin on his face and looked his pride over again… Timba: good… but I doubt we can do it alone. Who will volunteer to bring a message to Marhiza of the deathlands? No one spoke a word… the silence laid itself as a blanket over the pride. Once again Aihatu was the one to break the silence… Aihatu: I will do it… I lived there once, so it shouldn't be any problem… Timba: fine… now when you get there then you should talk to Marhiza… tell her that I sent you, and she might help us… Aihatu: got it… I'll be off at once… wish me luck… She rose to her paws and disappeared out trough the cave entrance… The rest of the pride sat and waited for Timba to say anything more… Timba: you can go now… Without saying anything further, he rose up and went out trough the cave entrance… He walked towards the cave that the pride used as their den. But he stopped and sat down outside it. With a deep sigh he looked into the ground… Timba: [to himself] …I mizz you Pinja… [sighs] I mizz you, Kiká and Zid zo much… Kamu had, unintentionally, followed Timba as she was on her way to the den. When she came close enough she heard him… she stopped for a second, deciding whatever she should go over to him or leave him alone. When she heard a quiet sob emit from the lion she decided to talk with him. She continued and went over to him as if she was heading for the den. She stopped and sat down next to him… Kamu: to whom where you talking? Timba: [sighs and turns to her] my family… Kamu: oh… sorry to distract you… Timba: it'z ok… it doezn't matter… Kamu looked up at the sky high above her for a second before returning her gaze to Timba… Kamu: Timba… I think it is time for you to go on with your life… you can't hang on to what has been anymore. [Pauses] Remember how Kiká mourned his brother? He managed to let go of the pain… Timba: [sighs and lowers his gaze to the ground] I know, Kamu… I have been holding on to it for too long… [Tries to wipe a tear away from his eye] but I can't let go… it hurtz too much… Kamu: [sighs and looks out into the vast savannah] you know… life is a challenge full of obstacles… and grief is one of them. But, self-pity is one too, and that is an even greater obstacle than grief is… Timba: [looks at her] do you mean that I am juzt feeling zorry for myzelf? Kamu: [nods and does not move her gaze] you cannot live in the past, because if you do, you neglect the present… Timba: [looks into the ground] I zuppoze you are right… I muzt let go of them now and go on with my life… Kamu: [finally turns her gaze towards Timba] good… [Smiles faintly] could I see a smile too? Timba: [replies after some seconds] no… not today Kamu… Kamu: then perhaps… I could see one tomorrow? Timba: [shakes his head] no… Kamu: aw… come on… Timba raised both corners of his mouth into what looked like a half-hearted smile… Kamu: come on, I know you can do better than that She tilted her head to one side, looking very much like a puzzled cub. And too the cubbish look, she gave him a begging gaze. This he could not resist… his lips turned into a smile when he saw how ridiculous she made herself look… Kamu: [smiles] now that is the Timba I remember… the one with a happy smile and life in his eyes His smile slowly faded away as he seemed to go into his thoughts again… Timba: happinezz you zay… that can't have been meant for me… Kamu: aw… you know as well as I do that what you said isn't true… Timba: then why am I zo completely ztripped of it? Kamu: [exclaims] Timba! You will find happiness again some day… He didn't reply. He stared at her with absent, empty eyes. Kamu looked back at him but didn't say anything either. Under a couple of seconds it was silent, until Kamu spoke again… Kamu: Timba… what are you thinking of? Timba: [snaps out of his thoughts] I… I might have chazed my happinezz away… Kamu: [confused] what are you talking about? What do you mean? Timba: Xiamu… we exiled her without any reazon… Kamu: but… Xiamu? She…? Timba: [interrupts her] zhe did not do anything wrong. It waz my entire fault, zhe had nothing to do with it… at all. Zhe waz controlled by her heat and did not know what zhe was doing… Kamu: [looks out into the air] I never thought of that… I guess that my anger for what she did grew out of control… and you… you have been depressed all since we got here… Timba: I know… it iz like thiz place are doing zomething to uz. Kamu: well… we won't stay much more here… we're off as soon as Aihi returns, right? Timba: yez… if zhe returnz at all… Kamu: [confused] and what is that supposed to mean? Timba: nothing… never mind it… [Pauses] yez, we're heading for the pridelandz az zoon az zhe comez back. Kamu: ah… good… just tell me… what kind of help do you think we could get from Marhiza anyway? Timba: if I know her right, then zhe won't doubt to zend uz zome of her warriorz… Kamu: okay… and what if she decides not to help us at all? Timba: then… [Grins weirdly] I will go talk to her… perzonally… Kamu stood puzzled and tried to figure out what he had meant with "personally". She nodded as if she had understood… Kamu: okay… [Looks around] well… we'd better get prepared to travel… Timba nodded and then they both rose to their paws and went to find the pride again… Chapter XXXXIV Villainous alliance A couple of hours after her departure from the crescent cave Aihatu began to recognize the features of her previous home. She was surprised that no one had stopped her yet, but she knew that it was only a matter of time… Aihatu: [thinks for herself] either have they gotten very sloppy or I've grown too old to notice them… She caught a sight of movement to her left, and a second later to her right. Now she knew that they'd seen her. Aihatu: [speaks out into the air] ok girls… I know that you are there… All around her, lionesses began to emerge from the grass. Aihatu recognized almost half of them. Her attention was drawn to in front of her, where someone muttered inaudible words… A second later a black lioness emerged from the grass… Azouka: Ok, smart ass… who are you and how the… The black lioness went silent as she recognized Aihatu, who grinned back at her… Azouka: Aihatu? Where the heck did you come from? Aihatu: well… from my mother, I suppose… Azouka: ha, ha, very funny Aihi… [Pauses] so, why did you come back here anyway? Weren't you happy with your mate? Aihatu: that's none of your business Azouka… I want to talk to Marhiza… Azouka: that's okay I suppose… but I must warn you… she is pretty upset with not having any male around here… Aihatu: so she isn't in her sunshine mood today? Azouka: definitely not… now follow me… I do, unlike you, have to chase trespassers away… Aihatu: [grins] at your age? Azouka: hey! Maybe my body is a little old, but there's nothing wrong with my spirit… And if you aren't done with your wise comments, I'll show you the way to a toothless life… Aihatu: ok… I was just kidding… Azouka: [mutters] you'd better be… The black lioness and some of the other deathlanders led Aihatu deeper into the deathlands… After a while, Aihatu got bored with not saying anything… Aihatu: so… how has things been here since I left? Azouka: you know… the usual… new cubs a little now and then… some unfortunate… or should I say, fortunate guy who came into our lands… [Sighs] but not a single one of them noticed me… Aihatu: aw… Azouka: don't you "aw" at me Aihi… you know that males despises black lionesses… I've even been accused for being a panthress… [Halts] now enough about that… you'll most certainly find Marhiza here… somewhere… Aihatu: ok… thanks for your help Azouka… Azouka: anytime girl… [To the other lionesses] all right, lets go and see if we can catch someone else in trespassing… And I don't want to hear any smart remarks about this, is that clear? Some of the lionesses giggled and Azouka shrugged and padded back the way they had come from, closely followed by the other lionesses…. Aihatu waited until she couldn't see them anymore before she began to look after Marhiza… After a while, she found the red lioness lay basking on a pile of rocks. Cautiously she went closer to Marhiza, careful not to make any noise. She sneaked as close as she dared before coming to a halt, barely a meter away from the red lioness… Aihatu: Marhiza? Marhiza: [not turning around] yeah… Aihatu: could I have a word with you? Marhiza: depends on what you want to say… The red lioness finally turned her head to Aihatu, and her eyes went wide open as she saw whom it was… Marhiza: [surprised] Aihatu? Aihatu: yep, none less than me… Marhiza: [still surprised] but… why did you come back? Aihatu: I came to ask a favor of you on behalf of my friend Timba… Marhiza gave Aihatu a suspicious gaze as she heard that name… Marhiza: did you say? Timba? Aihatu: I did… Marhiza: orange dude…with a splitted tail tip? Aihatu: [nods] that's the one… Marhiza: very well… let me hear what he wants of me… Aihatu: He requests help from your pride in order to retake the pridelands… Marhiza: hmm… [Thinks for a while] Okay… I will send you some of my warriors… and in return… Timba must come here and visit me… I have something to tell him… Aihatu: well… I doubt that he would agree on that… Marhiza: [cuts her off] I don't care what you think, Aihi…. Either he will come to me, or you will be on your own… Aihatu looked at Marhiza, thinking and pondering deeply… Aihatu: ok Marhiza… He will seek you out when we've retaken the pridelands… Marhiza: [grins] good… The red lioness rose to her paws and mentioned for Aihatu to follow her. Then both of them went over to another pile of rock not far away from the first one. When they got there, they met some of the other lionesses. Aihatu recognized half of them from her own time in the deathlands… Marhiza made a sign for her to stop, and so she did. Marhiza then padded over to the other lionesses, spoke some words to them and then she returned to Aihatu. Marhiza: [to Aihatu] ok, Raeza, Maha and Ciha will help you… I think that you are familiar with them… The three lionesses in question rose up and came towards them, all of them seemed surprised to see Aihatu again. Aihatu: [to the lionesses] ok, you know what have to be done, right? Lioness: yep, we're goin' to help a dude named Timba to get his lands back… Aihatu: good… now you just follow me and I'll lead you to him and the others… Aihatu was just about to leave when Marhiza cleared out her throat. Aihatu stopped and turned around… Marhiza: not so fast Aihi… don't you forget our little "deal". Aihatu: no, I won't forget that… She turned to leave again, and once again Marhiza cleared out her throat… Marhiza: where did you forget your manners girl? I thought your mother had thought you well… Aihatu: no… I haven't… goodbye Marhiza… and thanks for your help… Marhiza: [grins] you're welcome… Aihatu turned to leave a third time and this time she could start the travel back to the crescent rock with the three other lionesses following her… After a couple of hours they finally reached their destination at the crescent rock. Aihatu had begun to grow weary of the younger lionesses' chattering and bickering long before that and she was relieved to at least get some quiet hours of sleep… They where noticed and then greeted by the waiting pride. But the only thing the three deathlanders saw was Timba… Raeza: [to her pride sisters] oh my, does he look good or what? Ciha: yeah… [Seems to lick her lip] he's really something I want to bring home… Aihatu overheard what they where talking about, she shrugged and cleared out her throat at them… Aihatu: ahum… you girls have a job to do first… Ciha: aw yeah… why did you have to remind us? Raeza: hey, how hard can it be to kick out a leopard anyway? That can't take too much time to deal with that, can it? Maha: certainly not… and when we've done that, I sure have some energy left for him [snickers] Ciha: You two shouldn't get any ideas in your head. I saw him first! Aihatu shrugged again, knowing that it was of no use to discuss anything with the three of them. She padded over to Timba and gave him a nod… Aihatu: well… here they are… Timba: good… very good indeed… are they ready for combat? Aihatu: they haven't talked about anything else during our trip back here… kinda bores you out after a while. And… there is another thing you should know… Timba: I'm liztening… Aihatu: [whispers to him] Marhiza lend us them on one condition… that you should go to her when we had reclaimed the pridelands… Timba gave her a confused look… Timba: [puzzled] what could zhe pozzibly want of me? Aihatu: I don't know exactly… but I have my suspicions… Timba looked even more confused and shook his head… Timba: I don't think I want to know… but whatever it could be zhe wantz in return I'd do it… Aihatu: ok… [Sends a gaze towards the deathlanders] well… I'll better introduce you to our "burrowed" warriors… [Turns to the deathlanders] ok Girls… get your sorry hides over here… The three lionesses, which had been busy chatting with each other, went silent and padded then over to stand by Aihatus side. Raeza: hey good-looking… Aihatu gave Raeza a sharp elbow into the side of her chest, making her loose her breath temporarily… Raeza: [regains her breath] ok, ok! I'll stop… Aihatu: [gives her a sharp glare] good… [Turns to Timba] this is Raeza, Ciha and Maha… [Turns to the deathlanders] and this is Timba… you will help him and his pride to regain control over the pridelands… [Gives each of them a sharp glare] and nothing else than that… is that understood? Maha: [salutes] yes ma'm… Aihatu: fine… [Turns back to Timba] ok, they are at your service now… Timba gave her a nod in acknowledgement and then she led the three deathlander-lionesses over to the other members of the crescent pride. All of them then sat down and waited quietly for Timba to speak. The orange-furred lion padded over so that he stood in front of the whole assembly… Timba: Ok girlz… We will have to travel for at leazt a day before we reach the pridelandz… and when we get there, we muzt be prepared to fight whomever putz up any reziztance… Iz everything clear? All lionesses: Yes! Timba: good… we will depart early tomorrow… Chapter XXXXV Silence before the storm Shortly after that Xiamu had given birth to her daughter the leopardess Thaneta also gave birth to a single male cub. Xiamu and Thaneta took shifts on taking care of the two newborn cubs. They simply obeyed the voice inside their head. Three weeks later had the two cubs, lioness and leopard, grown old enough to become a quite lively couple. All mothers who weren't possessed would have called them troublemakers. The two cubs happily pounced and played with anything that moved. That included their mother's tails, each other and Kubaki. The grown up leopard only laughed heartly at their attempts to pounce him… One morning Thanetas son, the leopard cub, woke up very early. It was still a long time before dawn and he just couldn't fall asleep again. He sneaked away from his mothers belly and then out from the den itself. He then walked out to the tip of the promontory, sat down and peered up towards the stars. The twinkling lights amazed the cub and he tried to reach out after them with his paw… Cub: [thinks] what could they be? Fireflies maybe… no… those up there doesn't move at all… I'd better show dad this… he ought to know… The cub rose to his paws and trotted back into the den and directly over to Kubaki, who lay snuggled up to the two leopardesses and Xiamu. The young cub prodded the adult leopard with a paw, trying to wake him up. After some failed attempts the cub began to nip at his father's ear, pulling it with all the strength his little body could muster. And when that failed, he simply rammed his head into Kubakis cheek. At last the adult leopard woke up. He yawned and watched how his son skipped around his face… Cub: dad, are you awake? Kubaki: [yawns again] barely Rai… but I'm working on it… Rai: [giggles] great… I saw a really cool thing… come on and I'll show it to you… Kubaki: [sounds tired] can't that wait until tomorrow Rai? It's in the middle of the night… Rai: no… they'd probably be gone tomorrow… come on… The leopard cub jumped up on Kubaki's neck and began to tug on his ear… Kubaki: All right Rai… you win… I'm up now… He rose to his paws and let the cub slide down his side. He then stretched out his sleek body and yawned widely… Kubaki: ok, you show the way… Rai: it's this way… just out on the promontory… The cub skipped out trough the entrance to the den and out to the tip of the promontory. Kubaki followed his lively son out and then sat down beside him…. Rai: [points at the stars] look dad, aren't they cool? They are so far away, I can't reach them… what are they? Fireflies? Kubaki watched the stars for a while, remembering passages and stories he once heard about them… Kubaki: they… my son… are the great kings of the past, and they are watching us… Rai: cool… err… can they see everything we do? Kubaki: [nods] yes they can… Rai: is my grandpa up there? Kubaki: [thinks for a second before answering] yes he is… well… sort of… Rai: what do you mean? Kubaki: well… [Looks on one particular star] do you see that one up there, the one that sits in the end of a belt of three? He pointed at three stars that were located right above them… Rai: the big bright one? Kubaki: yes… that is my father… Rai: cool… The cub waved his paw while looking at the star… Rai: Hie Grandpa! Kubaki laughed heartily at his sons gesture… The cub gave him a puzzled look. Rai: what? What is it? Can't he hear me? Kubaki: of course he can hear you, Rai… Rai: [looks more puzzled] how come he doesn't answer then? Kubaki: [closes his eyes] he does… all you have to do is to listen carefully to the wind. But, your eyes must be closed, or else you can't hear him… Rai: well… okay… The cub closed his eyes tightly and waited. After some seconds Kubaki bent down and whispered into Rai's ear… Kubaki: [whispers] hello Rai… Rai: [excited] I… I could hear him dad… Kubaki sat up quickly before Rai opened his eyes again… Kubaki: [smiles] what was it I said, son? The cub smiled in response before his eyes drifted back to the stars above. They sat silent for a while, just watching amazed at the stars. Then Rai finally looked at his father again… Rai: dad… to become a star… do I have to die? Kubaki sighed deeply while moving his gaze towards the cub… Kubaki: yes. [Sighs] Rai… one thing that you should know… One day I won't be around here anymore and when that day comes, I will become a star just like them above us… Rai: but dad… [Starts to look sad] I don't want you to leave me… Kubaki: Rai… I know how it feels… My father told me this when I was at your age, and his father before him had told him too. Rai… [Looks into the eyes of the cub] when I no longer exist, then you must take over and become king here… The cub sniffed a couple of times and snuggled up to his fathers leg… Rai: I don't want to loose you dad… Kubaki: [strokes Rai gently across his head] don't you worry Rai… I'll always be with you, and… I haven't planned to die anytime soon… Rai: oh… neither have I… Kubaki smiled down at his son as the cub yawned and dosed off, snuggled to his leg. The leopard sat silent for a while, watching the stars, before he picked his son up gently and went back into the den… Chapter XXXXVI Return to the Pridelands Timba and his pride reached the eastern border of the pridelands the following night. He could see the priderock towering above the horizon in the pale moonlight. Both him and the lionesses that followed him where exhausted so they decided to wait until morning before they did anything further. As soon as the first sunlight touched the ground the pride was awake and began to descend into the occupied lands. But they weren't unnoticed. On a large boulder one of Kubaki's lionesses stood guard, and as soon as she spotted the foreign pride she jumped down and ran as fast as she could to warn her own pride… Inside the den of the priderock Kubaki's pride began to wake up. Everyone except for the two cubs, N'dina and Rai who still lay snuggled up to Xiamu's belly. Thaneta went over to them and nudged her son lightly in his side with her muzzle. Rai: [a bit dowsy] uh… what? Thaneta: [croons] rise and shine Rai, sun is up and so should you be too… Rai: [still dowsy] not again… [Yawns] Must I? Can't I sleep a little longer? Thaneta: nope… [Nudges him again] you know that your father wanted to speak with you today… and if you are a good child and if I get some time to spare… then I might even tell you a story or two… Rai: a story… Neat! Where's dad? I want a lesson right away… Thaneta: [chuckles] calm down a little… he'll be around soon… Rai rose to his paws and rubbed his head against her forelegs… At the base of the priderock Kubaki sat, watching a herd of zebras trot by in the distance. His gaze drifted around a little until he caught sight of one of his lionesses heading his way in full speed… The lioness stopped in front of him, saluted and tried to catch her breath… Lioness: [out of breath] your highness… I saw foreign pride cross our borders… they are heading this way… Kubaki: [growls] damn it! [To the lioness] you go gather the pride immediately… Lioness: [salutes] yes sir! She took one last breath before trotting out on the savannah again to find his pride… Kubaki walked straight up into the den and when he entered, Rai pounced him upon… Rai: hie dad… when does my lessons start? Kubaki: [looks very serious] not today I'm afraid… Rai: [confused] What? Kubaki: we have been attacked by another pride Rai… you must stay in here with your mom, Anasti and Xiamu… you'll be safe in here… Rai: okay dad… [Looks up at him] promise that you'll be back… Kubaki: [looks at his son] I promise Rai… don't you worry about me… He nuzzled Rai one time and then he gave the lionesses that were present a slight nod. All the lionesses, except Xiamu, padded out trough the entrance to the den. Kubaki himself went deeper into the cave to find his human underling… Kubaki: [in human language] human… get here immediately! A grunt was heard from the darkness and a second later the very degenerated soldier appeared. Bob: [annoyed] What? Kubaki: just shut up and follow me. The leopard turned around and walked trough the entrance of the den. Bob followed him a couple of meters behind. When they came to the ground bellow the rock, the entire pride sat waiting for them. The lionesses didn't need any orders because they didn't need any. Kubaki gazed towards the eastern horizon until he saw the foreign pride in the distance. He gave out a clicking sound and his minions, except for the human, began to walk towards the other pride. He then made a sign for the human to follow him as he padded a few meters behind his lionesses. Both prides came to a halt when they were only about ten meters apart. Kubaki stepped out in front of his own pride. Kubaki: ok… what the hell do you think that you are doing? Timba snarled quietly for himself and stepped forwards with Aihatu and Raeza by his side… Timba: why… I waz juzt about to azk you the zame… Kubaki saw and recognized Aihatu and bared his teeth in a snarl… Kubaki: well, well… isn't it the one whose worthless hide I spared? Aihatu: you'd better watch your mouth leopard, or I'll tear it from your face… Raeza nudged Aihatu to calm her down… Timba: [to Kubaki] any lazt prayerz before you die? Kubaki: [mocking voice] no… because it will be you who will be crying for mercy, not I… [Yells out] ATTACK!! One-second later Kubaki's minions lunged past him and towards the other pride. Yet another second later the battle begun. Kubaki backed off towards his human slave to get a better view of the fighting… Kubaki: [to Bob] ok… kill that orange lion… Bob: [faked stupid voice] kill whom? Kubaki: [angry voice] him… your enemy for god's sake! Bob: my enemy… as you wishes… "Master"… Kubaki had turned his attention back towards the battle, totally unaware of what the human did behind him. Bob picked up the gun he had taken from the tank and had pointed it to the back of the leopard's head. He squeezed the trigger and fired a shot… Kubakis body spun around and then fell dead to the ground. Kubaki stood and beheld his fallen "Master"… Bob: sayonara, bastard… He spat on the dead leopard, turned around and walked away from the place, leaving Kubaki's dead body behind… At the same time as the bullet had hit Kubaki and killed him the eyes of his possessed minions turned from glowing yellow back to their original color. All of them stopped to fight immediately, backing of in fear… Aihatu was just about to leap on one of the formerly possessed lionesses when it suddenly backed away… Lioness: [terrified] p…please… do not hurt me… Aihatu stopped and stood as dumbstruck. She stared at the lioness, which just a couple of seconds ago had wanted to rip her throat out. She then looked around and saw that the same thing had happened to all of them. Ciha and Kamu stood near Timba and was just as confused as Aihatu where… Ciha: what the heck is goin on here? [Turns to a trembling lioness nearby] Aren't you going to fight? Lioness: [trembling in fear] I… I don't want to fight… please don't kill me… Timba: [confused] juzt one zecond ago you waz fighting fiercely… Lioness: [trembles] I… I mean… We was… controlled by… that leopard… Timba looked around, searching for any trace of the evil leopard. He suddenly caught a glimpse of something spotted that lay on the ground a little distance away… He looked back at the trembling lioness and pointed in the direction of the spotted thing… Timba: waz that him? The lioness looked in the direction in which Timba pointed… Lioness: yes… that's him… Timba: lookz like he'z quite dead… [Turns to his pride] We have won! His entire pride gathered around him and cheered their victory… At the same time just outside the western border of the Pridelands. Bubby had seen the battle and was on his way to tell Slodia and the two young lions… Bubby: [yells] Slodia! Slodia! The panthress woke up in the tree that had served as a home for both her and the two lions… She was almost scared to see Bubby come flapping towards her… Bubby: come quick! Timba has come back to the pridelands… he's attacking right now… Slodia: [her eyes shoots wide open] What! Bubby: I saw it myself… he was leading a pride towards the pride of the leopard… Slodia: are you sure? Bubby: yes I'm sure… they must be in middle of combat right now… The panthress' face lit up and she nudged Kikafu to wake him up as well… Slodia: [To Kikafu] Kiká! Your father is alive! Kikafu: [not really awake] huh? Slodia: Timba is alive! And he's about to take our home back… Kikafu: [shines up] he is!! He's alive? Kikafu's exclaim had awakened Leesha from her sleep and Kikafu turned immediately to her… Kikafu: Leesha! Did you hear what Slodia said? Dad is alive! [Turns to Slodia] We must help him… Slodia: [thinks for a second before giving Kikafu a serious gaze] Kiká… I think we would help him the most by staying here until the battle is over… its safer here… She then turned to the crow, which had sat down on one of the branches of the tree… Slodia: Bubby, can you fly back and see if the fighting is over? Bubby: I'm on my way Ma'm… The black crow took off and flew straight towards the pridelands again… Timba stood and gazed down upon his fallen enemy, trying to figure out what could have killed the leopard. The noise of the gunshot had been drowned in the various sounds of battle… While thinking he suddenly caught the scent of a human and by once, he knew what had happened… He quickly turned to Kamu, who stood near him… Timba: Kamu… gather all of thoze foreign lionezzez… and be nice to them, they are innocent… [Turns to Aihatu] Aihatu… Aihatu: yes your highness? Timba: you go and check if there'z anyone in the den… Aihatu: sure… [Yells to Raeza] Hey Raeza! Get yourself over here and follow me! Aihatu and Raeza padded away towards the not so distant priderock. Kamu began to gather all the lionesses that had been in Kubaki's pride. And Timba began to track down the human whose scent he had found on and around Kubaki… The soldier had headed straight towards the, by weeds and grass covered, tank when he suddenly heard a loud growl behind him. The spun around and saw the orangeish lion crouch towards the ground, with claws out and teeth bared ready to attack… As if acting on instinct, the human raised his gun at the lion… The following moment seemed like an eternity for Timba. He could see how the human pulled the trigger. The blast from the pistol seemed faint and muted in his ears and the pain the bulled caused when it hit him was no worse than a light sting in his chest. His vision began to blur and fade away as he fell onto his side. The soldier grinned maliciously as he fired another shot towards the lion… Bob: [laughs evilly] see you in hell along with Kubaki… He put his gun back into his pocket, climbed the tank, opened the hatch and descended into the vehicle itself… Chapter XXXXVII Prince of the pridelands Slodia sat anxious and waited for the crow to return with any news at all. Kikafu and Leesha sat both by her side, almost shaking with anticipation… Kikafu: [to Leesha] do you think dad has kicked that evil leopard out yet? Leesha: [to Kikafu] I don't know Kiká, but I really hope he has… [Changes topic] well… Slodia… shouldn't we go tell Rasawah and Watabi? Slodia: yeah… go do that… Leesha bounced off towards where the cheetress and her son laid sleeping side by side. It did not take the young lioness long to wake both… Leesha: hey… wake up! Watabi: [wakes up] wha? Where's the fire zibihi? Leesha: come quick! Watabi: uh… okay… [Pokes Rasawah] Come on, kobto nim… [Turns back to Leesha] so… what's causing such hurry anyway? Leesha: We will leave as soon as Bubby returns… Watabi: [confused] who's Bubby? Leesha: well… a friend of our pride… Watabi: oh I see… well [Sighs] come on Rasawah… it's time to say goodbye to our friends… The three felines padded back to Slodia and Kikafu… Slodia had her attention fixed at the horizon but Kikafu saw them immediately… Watabi went over and sat down close to Kikafu… Watabi: well… I suppose this is when we say goodbye and our paths separate… I guess that Rasawah will go with you when you return to your home… Leesha: how about you Watabi? You can come with us as well Watabi: [sighs] I would like to… but I don't think I would feel comfortable among that many zibihi's… Kikafu: [sighs and looks at her] well ok… but you will always be welcome to visit us whenever you like… Watabi: [smiles] thanks Kiká Kikafu: you're welcome… Slodia had listened to them while her eyes had scanned for any sign of the crow… She turned her head towards Watabi… Slodia: well… you can come with us and stay for a couple of days… I'm sure he would appreciate to meet you… Watabi: [looks away] no… I'd rather not do that… from what I have heard, Rasawah's father is somewhere beyond the pridelands… Slodia: don't worry Watabi… I can assure you that Timba would… Watabi gasped loudly as she heard Timba's name Watabi: [interrupts Slodia] Timba Aka-mira? Slodia: [confused] uh… yeah… Timba two tail… Watabi: [covers her eyes with her front paws] oh no… it's him! Slodia: [very confused] uh… who? Watabi: Rasawah's father… my former mate… Slodia gasped and Kikafu's gaze fixed instantly on Watabi… Kikafu: What!!! Watabi: [sniffs] he… is [sniffs] Rasawah's father… Kikafu seemed stunned by the cheetress' words. He stared at her with a chocked gaze. Leesha too was chocked and confused by what she had just heard. Leesha: does that mean that Rasawah is? Kiká's brother? Watabi: [sniffs loudly] yes… Slodia: [looks at Rasawah, who is chocked too] does Rasawah know this? Watabi: [sniffs] no… he didn't… Kikafu began to sob silently… Kikafu: [whispering to himself] dad… [Sob] how could you? Watabi noticed that Kikafu had begun to cry. She moved over to him and tried to put her paw on his shoulder to comfort him but he smacked her paw away with his own and pulled away from her… Kikafu: [enraged and sobbing] Stay away from me!!! Watabi: Kiká… please… Kikafu: [covers his ears with his paws] Leave me alone!! Leesha: [looks confused at Kikafu] Kiká, what is wrong? Kikafu: [points at Watabi] don't you see it? [Sob] Dad… betrayed mom for her! Watabi: [tries to cut him off] Kiká, I did not make him betray anyone! Kikafu gave her a cold, harsh and enraged gaze… Kikafu: [Yells] SCREW YOU!!! He turned towards the pridelands and ran as fast as he could… Slodia: No… Kiká!!! COME BACK!!! She didn't hesitate more than a split second before she ran after the cub… Leesha and Watabi sent each other confused gazes… Leesha: we must follow them… what if he gets hurt or something? Watabi: I know… let's go at once! Without waiting another second they ran in the direction where Kikafu had vanished… The cheetress and the half cheetah easily outran the young lioness, which got far behind them… Leesha: Rasawah! Watabi! [Pants] Wait for me! Rasawah stopped and waited for Leesha to catch up with him but Watabi seemed like she hadn't heard Leesha and continued in the same pace as before. Leesha seemed glad when she reached Rasawah… Leesha: [pants] It's no idea to catch up with you two… you are too fast for me… Rasawah: hmm… come on… I'll stay at your speed… let's go… And once again they where running towards the pridelands, but this time Rasawah didn't run as fast as he could… Chapter XXXXVIII Completed circle At the same time as the soldier had killed Kubaki, all of his minions was freed from the control he had over their minds… That included Xiamu, Thaneta and Anasti. The three of them had been waiting inside the den and was now staring at each other in fear… Anasti: [disoriented and confused] where am I? And who are you? Xiamu: [looks around] N'dina! Where are you? Thaneta: [in panic] oh my god… oh my god… Thaneta had seen Rai and N'dina snuggle up to her belly. She remembered clearly what Kubaki had done to her when he had taken control over her mind… the two cubs where awakened by all the commotion around them. Rai: [looks confused at Thaneta] mom… when will dad be back? Thaneta: [screams] AAARRGHH!!!! She kicked the two cubs away from her and jumped away towards the entrance to the den to escape. But she collided with Raeza and Aihatu who had came to check the den… Raeza: [growls] well, well… where do you think you are going, spotty? Thaneta: [growls in fear] get out of my way? Raeza smacked the leopardess to the ground with a blow from one of her paws… Raeza: it's time someone beats some manners into your thick head, spotty! Before neither Thaneta nor anyone else could react had Raeza bitten her in her throat and crushed her windpipe. Rai stood as petrified next to N'dina and saw his mother get killed in front of his eyes. He tried to scream but no words emitted from his mouth. Xiamu had in fear pressed both cubs close tightly to her body, staring terrified at Aihatu, hoping that she became invisible… Xiamu: [stammers] Aihi… I… Aihatu: [hisses as she sees Xiamu] You? HERE? Of all places… why absolutely here? Xiamu: [stammers] Aihi… he forced me… Aihatu: SHUT UP! I don't want to hear your pity excuses this time… get out of my sight before I kill you! She lunged towards Xiamu and slashed her across her face with her claws extracted, thus sending her to the ground. The two cubs tumbled in behind Aihatu… Xiamu got up quick and was about to reach for N'dina… Aihatu: Get out of here…now! Xiamu: I must… Aihatu: [yells] You must nothing! Go!! Xiamu gave her an empty glare before she darted away past Raeza and Thaneta's dead body and out from the den. Anasti did not hesitate and took the opportunity to escape with Xiamu. Rai had tumbled in between a couple of rocks that hid him from Aihatus eyes but N'dina was fully visible to both of the lionesses. Raeza: [snorts] to hell with them… [Notices N'dina] oh my… what do we have here? A cub? She walked straight over to the lioness cub and showed the cub close to her… Raeza: [grins wickedly] you'll be my little trophy… Aihatu: hey… careful with it… [Looks closer ad N'dina] hmm… that must be Xiamu's offspring… Raeza: Wrong! It's mine now! Aihatu: [shrugs] have it your way then… but help me get rid of that corpse over there, ok? Raeza: sure! She let go of the cub and then she helped Aihatu to push and pull Thanetas dead body out from the den and over the edge of the promontory. With a last push they sent the dead leopardess out on a final air-trip. Both of the lionesses watched as the body fell and hit the ground with a sickening thump. Raeza: hah, bon voyage! That's your final trip [snickers] Aihatu: [gives Raeza a disgusted look] Raeza… you are insane… Raeza: yeah [grins] I know… nah… let's get back to the highness of yours… Aihatu: yeah… and don't forget your "prize"… Raeza: how should I forget? Aihatu: [shrugs] don't ask me… Raeza went back into the den and returned a short while later, carrying the terrified N'dina in her mouth. As they where on their way down from the priderock the loud cracks of a gun being fired ripped the silence apart and without hesitation they hurried towards where the gunshots had come from… When they arrived, they saw the pride sit gathered around something with their heads lowered in sorrow… Aihatu: hey… what is going on? Fiziju turned her tear stained face towards Aihatu… Fiziju: Aihi… [Sniff] Timba is…dead… Aihatu: no… he can't be… Both she and Raeza came closer and then they saw the truth… Raeza's jaw fell open and she dropped N'dina to the ground without noticing it. Aihatu could not bear to see the awful truth… she turned her head away and began to sob and cry loudly. Fiziju laid her forearm around her neck and tried her best to give her some comfort… Kikafu had been deafened by rage and sorrow, and hadn't heard the gunshots. But he had seen the pride in the distance. As he came closer he could distinguish Aihatu and Kamu from the other lionesses and all by sudden his rage ran off him. With a wide smile on his face he trotted towards Aihatu and rubbed against her leg… Aihatu was too sad to notice him but Kamu saw him… Kamu: [sad] what… oh my god Aihi, look! Kikafu is alive! Aihatu couldn't believe her ears, but when she saw the cub sit in front of her she believed it… Kikafu was alive. Aihatu: [with tears rolling from her eyes] Oh Kiká… you're back… She pressed him tightly up to her chest in a warm embrace. Kikafu: Aihi… where's dad? And why is everyone so sad? Aihatu: [still embracing him] Kiká… you must be strong now… Kikafu: [puzzled] what do you mean, Aihi? Aihatu: [sobs loudly] your father… he is… [Sob] he's dead… Kikafu: [horrified] no… NO!!! He pushed away from Aihatu and looked her straight into her eyes… he was crying helplessly… Aihatu tried her best to solace him… A second later Slodia and Watabi appeared. But the first thing they saw was Timba lying dead on the ground… Slodia clenched her jaw, trying not to scream. Kamu had seen them as well and padded over to them… Kamu: [sniffs] Slodia… [Sniffs] I'm sorry… Slodia looked at Kamu for a mere second before she managed to say anything… Slodia: [sniffs] hie Kamu… [Sniffs] we came too late… didn't we? Kamu: [sniffs] it's… not your fault [sniffs] Slodia… Slodia did not reply. She was watching how Kikafu sat close to Aihatu and was totally torn apart into tears and loud sobs… Kamu had noticed the presence of the cheetress… and also that Rasawah and Leesha was approaching as well… Kamu: [sniffs] who are they? Slodia: some friends… [Sniffs] and Leesha… Kamu: Leesha? [Recognizes the young lioness] oh thank goodness that she is alive… [Sniffs] Watabi had been silent all since he had seen the body of her former mate lay on the ground. When Leesha and Rasawah looked confused at each other when they came closer… Leesha noticed that everyone was either very sad or crying… Leesha: Slodia… what happened? She went silent as she too saw Timba lay dead on the ground. Rasawah, however, was still confused and did not know what to think… Rasawah: Slodia? Why is everyone so sad? The panthress looked at his scarred face, trying her best not to burst out into tears… Slodia: [sighs] I'm afraid that… Kiká has lost his father… Rasawah: oh my god… [Looks into the ground] poor Kiká… Leesha was struggling to keep her tears from overwhelming her, but she couldn't stop the tears from rolling down from her cheeks and splash to the ground. Kamu had moved over to her and was giving her any comfort that she could provide. Watabi sat still silent and watched in disbelief at the one she had loved so long ago. Rasawah could understand why Leesha and Kikafu was sad, but that his mother was mourning he couldn't understand… Rasawah: faha? Watabi: [wipes the tears from her eyes] yes my son? Rasawah: why are you crying? Watabi: [sighs] come closer and I'll tell you… Rasawah got closer to his mother and sat down next to her Watabi: [sniffs] do you remember what I called your father? Rasawah: yes… Uzukah… Watabi: [sniffs] that was not his real name… his name was Timba Aka-mira… and… [Sniffs] and he was… Kiká's father too… Rasawah, who hadn't heard her earlier, stood totally perplexed… Rasawah: [in disbelief] so… Kiká is my… brother? Watabi: [sniffs] yes… he is… Rasawah sat silent and looked at his mother, he couldn't manage to say anything at all… A couple of minutes later, the lionesses of both Timba's and Kubaki's former prides began to leave the place with their heads lowered in sorrow. After yet some while also Slodia and the others, except for Rasawah and Watabi, left as well… Chapter XXXXIX The new king Aihatu had gathered all the foreign lionesses at the base of the priderock and listened to their stories about how Kubaki gained control over their minds… Sibati: … and… the last thing I remember was that he… went behind me and… I can't remember what he did to me but it was horrible… Aihatu: [nods, still sad] … at least he paid for his crimes now… Sibati: yeah… but one thing is getting me down right now, I have no idea where to find my own pride… [Sighs] I have nowhere to go or live… Aihatu: well… you could stay here with us… but I am not the one to allow such things… Sibati: but if it isn't you, then who is it? Aihatu: that would be Kikafu… Sibati: and who is that? Aihatu: he's the heir of this land… Sibati: oh… where can I find him? Aihatu: he's over there with Kamu and that young lioness… She stopped talking when she saw whom the young lioness was. It was Leesha… Aihatu: could you excuse me for a second? Sibati: sure… A skip and a leap later Aihatu stood in front of her daughter and hugged her immediately… Aihatu: oh Leesha… you're alive too… Leesha: [hugs back] mom… I missed you so much… Aihatu: [smiles] I'm so glad that you're here with me again… Leesha began to tell Aihatu how she and Kikafu had survived and then been brought to safety by Slodia and Rasawah… Kikafu sat silent by Kamu's side and could feel how a cold cloud embraced his heart… Suddenly he buried his face into Kamu's fur and started to weep again. Kamu looked down at him and stroked him gently across his back with her paw… She could understand how the poor cub felt, having lost both of his parents… Kamu: [sighs] Kiká? Kikafu: [sobs and looks up at her] yes? Kamu: I know that this is a hard time foe you… but… Kikafu: [sobs] but? Kamu: you are the only heir to the throne… that means that you are the king around here now… Kikafu: [sobs] I know… [Sobs] but I don't [sobs] know how to rule… Kamu: we'll help you Kiká… don't worry… She looked over at Aihatu and Leesha, who were busy talking to each other. She sighed silently and licked a tear away from Kikafu's face… Kikafu: [sobs] Aihi? Aihatu heard her name and turned around to face Kikafu… Aihatu: yes Kiká? Kikafu: will you [sobs] teach me how to [sobs] rule a kingdom? Aihatu padded over to him, closely followed by Leesha… The old lioness sat down next to him and smiled down at him… Aihatu: of course Kiká… Kikafu: [sobs] thanks… They sat silent for a moment before Aihatu continued… Aihatu: Kiká, it's time that you ascend the throne now… Kikafu: [sobs] I know… just tell me how to do it… Aihatu: just follow me up onto the promontory… Kikafu: okay… Kikafu slowly rose up to his paws and gave Aihatu a slight nod. The old lioness began to walk towards the path that led up to the promontory. Kikafu followed her with slow steps. Aihatu waited for him up at the end of the path but each step the cub took seemed to be heavier than the previous one. He suddenly sat down, in the middle of the path and tears began to roll from his eyes again. Aihatu hurried back down to him… Aihatu: [worried] come on Kiká… Kikafu: [sobs heavily] I… I can't do it… I'm sorry… Aihatu: [hugs him] it's okay Kiká… I'll be with you all the way… Kikafu: [sobs] thanks… [Sobs] Aihi… The cub took a deep breath, rose up and continued up the path with Aihatu walking by his side. Together they made their way to the promontory. Bellow them had the lionesses from both prides gathered and were now watching Kikafu and Aihatu. Aihatu took a few deep breaths before she let out a loud roar, in which Timba's pride joined in… and after a few seconds also the other lionesses joined in… Epilogue Rai had remained hidden inside the den since Raeza and Aihatu had left it. When he now heard the roar just outside it seemed to him like the blood froze in his veins… He quickly got out from his hiding place and peered out at the promontory trough the cave entrance. He froze again as he saw Aihatu and Kikafu sit there, both watching the bellow gathered lionesses. Rai knew that if he were still in there when all the lionesses came back, he would be killed. With a final breath he began to sneak out from the den, down the path. He was lucky that everyone else's attention was fixed at Kikafu and not on the paths that led down from the den. He sighed in relief when he reached the high grass and mended into its sheltering shadows. Suddenly a scent of blood filled his nose-drills. The scent was familiar and he felt that something was wrong… He headed towards the place he thought the scent came from and ran into the dead body of his father. From the angle he came from, he couldn't see the large wound in Kubaki's head and the poor cub was overwhelmed with joy to see his father… Rai: dad! The cub ran over to the corpse and started to prod it… Rai: [worried] Dad… come on… we must get away… dad? He climbed up on the back of his fathers dead body and saw the truth in the gaping hole that was in the back of Kubaki's skull… Rai: [desperate] Dad! [Starts to sob] Dad, please… come on… He began to pull Kubaki's ear, but to no use… Tears began to build up in his eyes as he slowly realized that he was alone… He snuggled up to Kubaki's front leg and closed his eyes… Slodia had been on her way to her own tree when she suddenly had heard someone's desperate voice. She went that way and found Rai lay next to the dead leopard… Slodia: hey… you there… Rai turned his head to face Slodia… he didn't reply at all… Slodia: don't be afraid. I won't hurt you… She padded over to Rai and moved him away from the dead leopard and towards her… She realized that the cub wouldn't survive long on his own… Slodia: come on… I'll bring you to a safer place… Without waiting for a reply, she picked the cub up in her mouth and proceeded towards her tree… The end of part four… Started: 2:nd December 2000 Finished: 2:nd January 2002 I am very sorry that it took over one year to write this part, but I have been busy with school and other things… but don't worry, I won't stop writing. The next part, the fifth one, will hopefully not take as long time to write as this part took… Now take care… until I've completed the fifth and last part, called The Nemesis… Sigurd Engerström