A Rouge's Journey

[Kirsui]

'What's going on? Oh please don't let it be serious, please please please....'

The golden cheetah was running as fast as she could, her paws barely touching the ground when they were on air again. She could feel the wind brush against her fur and she kept blinking her eyes rapidly to prevent the wind from making her blind with watering eyes.

"Seleter!"

She slid into a halt, panting heavily and still blinking her eyes. Her ears flickered around and then she saw Zulu. Something was wrong, she could see that from the way the king cheetah was behaving, even from the distance.

"Get the others and bring them here, quickly! Go, now!"

Nodding quickly even though she knew Zulu wouldn't see it she dashed off again, this time racing back to where she had come from. It didn't take long before she was face to face with Karensha, and what seemed to be Nadayshana. The golden cheetah slowed down to match the snow leopard's pace.

"Zulu...", she said, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath while still running.
"He's right forward from here... Something's wrong, he told me to get you all."
With a lifted eyebrow she looked around and caught no sign of Night Flame. She was not about to question Karensha about the dark adolescent's location but instead turned around on her tracks and ran to where she thought Night Flame and Duna would be.

---

"Um...how 'bout Memkra? He's strong."

Night Flame shook his head.
"No, not Memkra..."
He examined the cub closely, wondering how long it'd take from her until she got bored at guessing. The dark furred adolescent didn't have time to ponder this for long though as Karensha suddenly dashed ahead, telling him to take Duna and follow. He blinked for a moment before turning at the cub.
"What I am spying...", he said as he carefully lifted Duna to his back, positioning her so that she could take a hold of his long but still just half grown mane.
"...Is you, Duna. You are a strong cub, and I wish you will remain so."
He smiled slightly while he looked over his shoulder at Duna.
"Now... Hold on."

Karensha had had a head start but that didn't stop Night Flame from bolting into a run in an attempt to catch the snow leopard. Before he saw Seleter running towards himself and Duna. The cheetah slod to a halt and turned, running side to side with Night Flame while trying to catch her breath.
"Zulu told me to get everyone", she explained.
"Something's not... right..."
Night Flame glanced at the cheetah and saw her glance at Duna, apparently making sure the cub wasn't uncomfortable.
"I can carry her", he told. "If Duna allows me that is... You should not outrun your strength by taking extra weight, Seleter..."

Seleter lifted an eyebrow. Did she just imagine or was there a hint of concerne in Night Flame's voice. She wouldn't know for sure as he was facing forward with a calm face.
"Thank you..." she said with a faint smile before looking forward. She could see Karensha ahead, but they had a lot of catching up to do before they would reach the snow leopard and Zulu.

[Dakota]

~ Posting for Sarafina ~

Sereana panicked slightly when everyone started running forward, the only words she could catch was that something had happened to Maisha. Picking Leela up by the scruff of her neck and placing the cub on her back.
"Hang on Leela we have to catch up with the others"

Starting off slowly so Leela would get into the rhythm and not fall off, once she saw that nothing was going to happen Sereana surged forward. Seeing Nightflame with Duna and Seleter in front of her, she just followed the same direction as they took.

As the lioness ran, a small smile spread across her face and her eyes shone brightly, she couldn't remember the last time she just ran free, even if it was an emergency, she realised that the feel of the breeze rushing against her body, felt like magic and was indeed soothing.

[genie]

Memkra felt embarrassed at Maisha's words and looked away a moment but then she asked where they were and he looked back her "We are at the bottom of a cliff... it seems you fell down... and I can down for you... I don't know if the others will find us or not but I've tried letting them know where I am" he told her look solemnly at her.

[Tamber]

Duna was quite disappointed to hear Night Flame say again that her guess was wrong. She hadn't thought it was a very good quess, but she had nothing else. The lion looked at her closely, and it made Duna slightly uncomortable. However, when she looked closely at him, she noticed the playful look on his face. She was so used to him being cold to her. This new Night Flame was quite different.

Duna was about to say that she gave up, since she didn't have ideas, anyway, and the rest of the group seemed a bit frenzied and hectic about something. She knew they would never tell her, being afraid that they would scare her. But...perhaps Night Flame would.

As he leaned over to pick her up, the cub instinctively flinched at the thought of having his teeth so close to her flesh. Realizing once again that he was being perfectly peaceful, she sighed with relief once again and found herself grasping his unusually shaped and colored mane.

"What I am spying...Is you, Duna. You are a strong cub, and I wish you will remain so."

What? Strong? Duna couldn't believe what she had just heard. She had always thought of herself as strong, but never knew anyone felt the same way about her. She figured that they all saw her as just a cub, a cub who wouldn't understand, who couldn't stand up to danger or be brave in a questioning situation. Plus, look how weak she had been around Night Flame. She had cried, and he knew about it, didn't he? Still, it was the greatest compliment Duna had ever recieved. Someone, someone big and strong in her eyes, had confirmed her most valued trait. For now, Duna felt like she was one of them, like she wasn't just a small life to be protected.

She rode happily upon the purple lion's back, and after he had spoken to Seleter, she asked him the question that was pressing upon her mind. Perhaps he would answer truthfully. "Night Flame? Do you know what's going on?"
________________________
Zulu stood over the tall grasses upon the glimmering, rainbow-reflecting rocks benath him. He still saw no sign of Shana, but he could see the grasses moving in a few places where the others seemed to be running toward him. At last they would be near him again and they could address the issue together.

Having trust that they would soon arrive, the cheetah turned around to peer down the canyon. He still saw nothing but the walls of the canyon for about fifty feet down, and anything beyond that was blocked by fog. He thought he heard a sound echo through the walls, bouncing between them and reaching his ears. It sounded like a twisted roar. It must have been Memkra, but what did the roar mean? Help? We're fine? Or was it some other lion? The longer Zulu went without seeing them, the more he considered the need of finding a way into the canyon himself.

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana layed on her back and held on. Karensha was right. She was making her mothers life miserable. The more to stay with Zulu. The more to not stay with all of these people. She shook slightly and closed her eyes.

She was trying so much to make sure no tears fell. She didnt want Karensha to say anything. Karensha already made her point... Shana was done. She needed Zulu. But she was giving up on finding him.

Her life had changed and not for the good. She was different and all becuase of this stupid group! She hated it hear! She heard a slight giggle and looked over to see her mother and Leela catching up, and having fun. It broke her heart. Her mother was never going to be able to show her love for her again.

Shanas head snapped away from them and to the ground. She shook her head back and forth and her body shook on Karanshas back. She was scared. She felt so alone... she felt... like... like she didnt belong. To a lot of the Pride...she knew she didnt belong.

[Dakota]

Maisha stared up at Memkra " I fell down a cliff face you say... and yet you still came after me, I don't know what to say...thankyou seems so small really".
Feeling her cheeks grow warm, the lioness turned away, taking small breaths so her body wouldn't ache with the effort.

"Mem, how do we know if they heard your roars ? .Maybe we should have stayed back there, instead of moving away."

Struggling to get grip in the soil, Maisha felt her paws sliding out from under her time and time again. With a frustrated growl she finally gave up and just lay back down panting slightly.

" So Mem, what do you think we should do about our little situation we have here ?"
Grinning up at him still standing Maisha tapped the ground beside her.
"Come on and sit down, your'e making the place look untidy"

[genie]

Memkra looked at her as they she spoke then replied "We don't know... but its the only choice... you're hurt and laying in this mud won't do you any good - plus... you're really vunerable here... we need to meet up with the others and staying there wont do that!". He sat down besides her and gave her side a lick that looked sore to make it feel better "Our situation... well as I see it we can only go in this direction as the cliff seems to lower in this direction".

***********

Leela spotted Shana looking down and with a giggle bounded over to her and launched herself onto her with a big squeaky laugh and laided her head on her neck and said "don't be sad sister... I love you... be happy!" with her simplistic view of things.

[Dakota]

Looking down at herself, Maisha sighed
"all this mud's meant to be good for a girls skin Mem, iron out all those wrinkles.."
Turnng her head to watch him the lioness gave a smirk. "Don't worry, I'm just kidding, it always helps to look on the bright side of things...well most times anyway."

Again Maisha unsheathed her claws and tried to find something to latch onto so she could get some leverage happening.
"well come on Mem, give us a paw up will you.. Do you want to push or pull ?"

Holding his gaze she tried not to laugh at his expression she saw plastered all over his face, with her eyes twinking she lowered her voice.
"Besides, I'm sure Karensha must be searching for you...I mean ...us by now"

[genie]

Memkra thought about she was saying, joking and teasing him before saying "I'm sure everyone is trying to figure out where we are" he said quite seriously, then he looked at the ground, moved next to her struggling body that was berely off the ground. He dipped his head down scooping it softly under her body a lightly helped her slid on to his back, making sure she was positioned good he stood and said "Ok, off we go some more... so that you can make it back to remain looking wrinkleless..." a slight grin on his face as he walked with her.

[Kirsui]

"Night Flame? Do you know what's going on?"

The dark furred adolescent flattened his ears.
"No, Duna..." he replied while still running.
"I don't know any more than you do... But my guess is it has something to do with Maisha."
He glanced at Seleter who still ran beside him but the cheetah didn't say anything. She had her gaze locked at what was ahead of them. Night Flame too looked forward and saw they were closing in to where Zulu was.

Slowing down their run both the adolescent lion and the golden cheetah gazed around as they reached Zulu. Seleter was still panting slightly from all the running, and soon enough she was sitting down, trying to catch her breath. She knew she'd need to get some water once this situation, what ever it was, would be over.

Night Flame remained standing, examining the king cheetah with a slightly curious expresison.
"What is the matter, Zulu...?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow as he waited for a reply.

[Tamber]

The king cheetah heard two creatures run up and stop behind him. He jerked his head around and saw them just as Night Flame asked what was happening. Zulu did the best to calm himself, but the panic rushing through him showed a bit. They had been down in the canyon for about ten minutes now, and all he had heard was a roar, and nothing more.

He turned himself fully around and sat before them. He hesitated to say it in fornt of Duna, for he didn't know how she would react, but he figured she'd figure it out eventually. Seeing her made him worry about Shana's location again...

"Maisha...she was running accross this field and saw the rocks," he said as he motioned to the wet, glimmering rocks beneath their feet. "She couldn't see the trench above the grasses. She ran right into it and...she fell." Pausing for a moment to let them take it in, he continued. "Memkra went down after her. He seemed to maneuver well down this wall, but I couldn't see for very far, because of the fog, and all. I heard someone roar, but there's no telling whose roar it was. It echoed too much for me to tell.

"They've been there for ten minutes. I have no clue what to do." He turned around and looked into the foggy, dark gorge once more, only to see the same thing he had seen over the past few minutes. Nothing moved, no sound came out. He felt the need to tell them the truth...the truth of what he had known. He turned to them once again.

"I knew this trench was here...but I had forgotten. We've strayed from the path to Talli Peak. I lead us too far north. I wish I knew a way to get them out, but I just don't. I've never been down there before. Something about its contrast from this beautiful field made me uneasy. I never felt comfortable exploring it. I don't know how deep it is, what's at the bottom, or if there is even a safe path in or out."

Pausing and thinking of the others, he changed the subject. "Where are the others? Sereana and Leela, Karensha? Where's Shana?"

[Dakota]

Karensha came flying through the tall grass, with Shana holding on tight, only bouncing slightly on her upper back and neck, but she could feel her purple tuft getting pulled tight. Tossing her head once again, to get fur out of her eyes, she saw that she was nearly upon NightFlame, Zulu and Seleter with Duna.

Clenching her muscles, to stop her body from moving ay more, she came to a standstill, only panting slightly. Licking her lips quickly to relieve their dryness, she heard a little noise from behind her. Realising Shana, had seen Zulu and would be wanting to go to the King Cheetah, Karensha slowly lowered herself down .
" there you go Shana, he looks like he could use some kind words right about now."

Moving to stand beside NightFlame, she gave him a quick sidelook, then fastened her attention on Zulu. Her head snapped to attention, when she suddenly understood what the Cheetah was telling them. Memkra and Maisha went over a cliff face, and he doesnt know if they still alive

"You heard a roar, have you answered with one of your own Zulu, or are you just going to sit there and panic all day. Nightflame you are the largest of us all, we need to get as close to the cliff face as possible and try and let them know we are here......NightFlame ?"

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana clenched onto Karensha without saying a word. She wanted to get out of here. She felt Karensha slpowing down and let out her breath. She was practically holding it in the whole time. She then Gasped. Zulu! She waited for Karensha to lower herself. She then bounded off. She was a little dizzy. She ran to him and his her head in his fur.

"Zulu....."

She whispered softly. She then just stayed there. She didnt want him to leave her again. She sniffled and looked up at him with a couple tears falling. She closed her eyes and snuggled into his leg. She wanted to stay with Zulu ... but she had a feeling that, that wasnt going to happen.

[Tamber]

Just as he asked the question, it was partially answered without a word spoken. Right before him Karensha bounded out from the tall grasses that had concealed her from view, and upon her silky purple hair held Nadayshana, her frigthened eyes shut tight as they could be. As Karensha leaned over and let Shana off, he gazed into her sweet young as eyes she saw him at last. He held an arm out to her as she ran toward him, and he hugged her tight as she leaned into him, sobbing again.

"Don't worry, Shana. You're here now. I'm here. There's nothing to fear." He patted her back comfortingly, hoping that she would be able to put her fear behind her.

"You heard a roar, have you answered with one of your own Zulu, or are you just going to sit there and panic all day?"

Zulu realized he had been in such a panic that he had not even gotten up the muster to roar, but he also considered his abilities. He could never roar at all, let alone as load as he supposed Night Flame could. He nodded to the dark lion, looking at him and seeing if he would agree to roar for them.
_______________________________
Duna couldn't believe what the marbly cheetah was telling them. Maisha and Memkra had both fallen into the gorge, and from what she could see from her viewpoint on Night Flame's back...well...there wasn't much to see. She couldn't see very far, for the fog was blocking any sight past a certain point. She was terified for them, but reassured when Zulu mentioned that he had heard a roar.

"Go, Night Flame. Hurry up and roar!" she said into his ear, not quite whispering but intending for it to be for his ears only. "I'm sure they'll hear you."

[Kirsui]

"You heard a roar, have you answered with one of your own Zulu --"

Seleter shook her head slightly with a faint sigh. If she could at all read Zulu's current expression he was thinking somewhat the same way she was.
"Cheetah's don't roar, Karensha", she said, turning her purple eyes at Night Flame with a worried expression.
"But lions do. And she's right, Night Flame... You are the biggest one of us..."

Night Flame looked at Zulu, then at Karensha, then at Seleter and finally he also managed to catch what Duna spoke into his ear. He also glanced at Sereana with little Leela, then at Nadayshana who was somewhat trying to hide her face in Zulu's fur as much as possible. His ears flickered momentarily before he released a faint sigh and nodded. Really, one simply had to do what this group was asking with so many pleading looks sent to one's direction.

Without any words he carefully approached the cliff side, feeling the ground with his paw each time he was taking another step, simply to make sure it would support his weight. Once he stood close enough to see someway down he stopped and took a firm position, breathing deeply for a while.
"Duna..." he said with a low, calm voice.
"Cover your ears."
Then he pulled as much air as he could inside his lungs, lifting his muzzle slightly upwards before releasing one powerful roar. He kept releasing the noise as long as he could, his head lowering as the roar begun to quiet down, trying to push out all air he still might be holding back.

When he stopped his ears flickered while his teal eyes kept a close look on the area below. There wasn't much for him to see, but he was sure he could still hear his own roar echo from the walls. Now he would just have to wait and see if there would be reply.

[genie]

Memkra padded along with his passenger snuggly on his back, the ground was mostly quite unpleasent down here but he had no time to worry about such things, he needed to get Maisha away from the damp atmosphere - it would do her no good at all.

He carried on a bit more when the degraded roar echoing reached his ears which he twitched listening, it did't sound like they where moving, the others - they were perhaps at the place he had jumped from.. certainly they were a way behind if that roar was anything to go by. He stopped and looked up, he would have to try to let them know which way he was headed and taking a deep breath in he let out a series of short deep roars that would be most likely to travel best and suppose that they would hear before he turned and continued walking along softly.

[Dakota]

Aww.. Mem, I was having a goood little nap back here, did you have to roar so loud...
Maisha gave a little giggle at her joke.
" How about we stop and I'll see if I can move a little now, I need to get everything working again..and. Memkra if we can hear them and they can hear you, don't you think we should stop.?"

Sliding herself slowly off his back, she let her back two paws hit the ground first good not too much pain from them, lets try the other two . Slowly pushing herself back she let her front paws skim along his sides amd down over his rear.
"Hope you're not ticklish Mem ?"
Letting go at last her paws dropped to the ground supporting her body weight. Wincing slightly as her bruised ribs gave a twinge of discomfort, she breathed in and out slowly getting the feel of her battered body and what it was doing to accomodate her.
Shaking her head slightly, Maisha took another slow breath and then her pink tongue poked out of her mouth and wiped off some beads of sweat that lay above her upper lip.

Ok, one step at a time,... I can do this, I am female hear me roar..

"Well Mem, I'm standing up, just dont desert me, I might need your brawn sooner or later"
Meeting his eyes, that were full of concern, made her blush slightly
"i'll be ok, we just need to decide now whether to turn back or keep going..what do you think ?"

[genie]

Memkra smiled at her, so feircely independant she was... that or just a plain stubborn mule... the grinned to himself, he hovered more to the later choice... wanted to show she could do it herself even though it be more painful for her to move in her condition than ride on him.

He looked at her and said "So do you think everything is working... body parts still intact? did't leave anything back in the mud did I??" he chuckled before adding serious "You need to get out of this mud and dampness... it will only make you ill... with your wounds and only way to do that is to keep moving".

He licked the side of her face "And besides, who will nag me without you around..." he said teasing her.

[Dakota]

Karensha stood there looking with a hopeful expression on her face as she watched NightFlame, make his way to the edge of the cliff top. It was on the tip of her tongue to shout out a warning for him to be careful, when she decided to keep her muzzle shut in case it unsettled him, last thing they needed was another one overboard.

Moving forward quietly, she was impressed by how much his roar echoed around. Stopping she held her breathe and tilted her head to one side, hoping so much for an answer from Memkra or Maisha.

There they all stood in silence, not moving, just waiting... and there it came, short roars coming upto them from the fog. Relief flooded her face and she turned to the others.
"They're alive... but to me they seem to have moved further away from us...."

Looking behind her, karenshas eyes held Zulu's, " DO you know if there is any other way to get down, or meet up with them maybe, we still don't know if maisha is hurt."

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana continued to cry into Zulu. She didnt want to go. She stayed there and shook. She hated this. She was such a jerk to her mom, but no one understood the real Sereana,

She looked up at Zulu with sad eyes. She wanted to be gone...She couldnt wait until the night was over. She sighed and sniffled. Tonight she was going off alone...even without Zulu. She sniffled and looked over at Sereana.


Sereana watched Nadayshana. Something was different and she didnt know what. She looked at Zulu sighed. She shook her head and looked at Leela. She was being a horrible mother. She hated this. She closed her eyes and looked over at Shana. She was avoiding her gaze.

The story....She remembered. She gasped and looked over at Leela. She knew sooner or later Naday was going to remember. She didnt know it would be this soon. She sniffled a little and smiled. She didnt want to cry.

[Tamber]

Duna grasped her ears as soon as Night Flame let out a great roar. Letting go she peered down the gorge, as if she would be able to see anything beyond the fog. The roar echoed drastically against the tall, stone walls. Perking her ears up and leaning over Night Flame's head, she waited impatiently, listening for any returning sound. Finally she heard one, as did the rest of those in her group. It was Memkra, if she heard correctly, and she made sure to identify this fact to the others.

"That's Memkra," she said, turning to them hastilly. "That's him. They're ok." Duna seemed to speak to herself here, as if reassuring herself that they survived. Still, she wasn't sure how the group was going to solve the remaining problem: the fact that a most likely injured Memkra and Maisha were hundreds of feet below them, out of sight and out of reach.
________________________________
Zulu sighed with relief as he heard a returning roar. Duna's words soothed him a little bit, as obvious as they were. They sat silently for a few minutes, hearing nothing more.

He then heard Karensha ask him the question he had no good answer to.

"Well...I...to be honest, I've never even tried to go down there. I knew this gorge was here but... I had totally forgotten until Maisha fell." He thought for a second, thinking of landmarks in all directions, anything that might lead them in the right direction. "There is a decline to the west. If we follow the gorge's path we may be able to find a way down. But...I have no guarantee."

The king cheetah felt extremely guilty for two reasons: that he could have prevented Maisha from falling, and that he was expected to know a way to rescue her, but had no decent idea.

[Dakota]

Karensha stood there listening to what Zulu's reply was. He seemed unsure of himself now something had happened to their group. Looking around at the rest of them, waiting for any other comments the snow leopard was starting to get jumpy.

"Seleter, Night Flame, Sereana...what are your thoughts, myself I'm going to follow the path to the west that has been mentioned, it seems to be our only way to reconnect with Maisha and Memkra, soo.... what I need to know, is who will come with me?"

One by one Karensha let her eyes rest on their faces, acknowledging each and every one. Last of all her gaze slid to the cubs.

"Duna and Nadayshana, this means you as well, we are all together now, so your opinion does count, and we need to make a decision fast. I can go by myself, if you all want to continue on to Talli Peak, it doesn't matter..ok ?

Moving over to where Zulu still stood with his head bowed, the snow leopard leant down so her head was close to his.
"Zulu, it wasn't your fault, we aren't blaming you, so stop with the guilt trip..ok ?, what we need is your strength and wisdom right now... so please any insight you can give us so we can help those two, would be really good right about now."
Meeting his eyes, she smiled and then gave him a quick nuzzle on his cheek, and stepped back, watching and waiting.

[Tamber]

Though it sounded like a stretch of a chance, and though Zulu seemed quite uncertain, Duna was all for going on the path to the west with Karensha. Still, she didn't expect anyone to care what she would think in the matter. After all, she was only a cub in their eyes, no matter what wisdom she may have.

But she was taken aback by Karensha's acknowledgement of her and Shana. Someone was asking for her opinion? Then by god, she would voice it while she could, and confidently, too.

"I'll go with Karensha," she said. "Talli Peak will be there tomorrow. I'm not leaving without them." Duna's arguement was serious, but she spoke it with a hint of joy in her voice, just ecstatic that an adult besides Night Flame cared to hear what she thought. Duna had so much to say but never felt in the position to say it.

Curious as to what their present leader would say, Duna turned her ears and her attention to the king cheetah, eager to hear what he thought. She hoped he agreed with her, for she felt it would be silly to think otherwise.
_______________________________
The group seemed to be coming around to a plan, or at least a few of them were. It was a difficult situation, particularly to Zulu. Karensha's soft words pierced him with truth for a moment, but seeing her smile and feeling her nuzzle reassured him that they were not disappointed in him. Zulu had an unfortunate issue with himself, constantly fearing he would dissapoint someone again, and he constantly let this fear disappoint himself, making him sit and wait for judgement and accusation to be thrown upon him, the way it was when he was young. Karensha was right, and though the spoken fact that Zulu was pretty much moping about over this issue hurt him a bit, he knew it was the truth, and that the truth is the best thing to hear. He returned Karensha's smile and sat a bit taller so he could speak.

"Duna is absolutely right," he said to them. "We are all together in this. I wouldn't feel right leaving Memkra and Maisha behind. They are our family, and it is our job to help them. I will lead the west-bound party. Whoever would like to stay back in safety is free to do so, but I don't feel that we should split up too greatly, especially now." The cheetah waited for any sign of agreement, hoping his point of view was widely accepted.

[Kirsui]

"I'll go with Karensha. Talli Peak will be there tomorrow. I'm not leaving without them."

Night Flame nodded his head in agreement with Duna. He listened then how Zulu spoke, and yet again nodded in agreement
"I will follow", he said on his quiet and low voice.
"There is always the chance of us getting totally lost of eachother should we split up. Besides..."
He smiled faintly and glanced over his houder at Duna with a slightly amused twinkle in his eyes.
"Duna seems rather comfortable right now... And you would not want to leave behind now, would you?"

---

Seleter didn't know what to think of Night Flame anymore. The dark furred lion had become so confusing in during one night. Had he remained the same she would have had easy time simply hating him for causing the cubs so much pain. But now...

The golden cheetah shook her head and turned her gaze to Zulu.
"I'll come too."
She smiled.
"I've known Maisha and Memkra longest in this group, and I'd gladly see them safely back with us."

[Dakota]

Maisha stood there a bit wobbly on all four paws, she knew they needed to get away from this dampness and slimy infested mud that seemed to cling to her and Memkra, but she also needed to see if she could walk a little by herself, she felt a few things seizing up, and if she left it too long, she mighten be good for anything.

" I know you want to help Mem, how about we just walk a few paces first and let me click a few things back into place, and by then I'm sure I'll be ready for another piggyback..ok"

Taking a breath, she gritted her teeth and placed one paw in front of the other and slowly moved forward with Memkra by her side. It was slow going, but she was managing for now, and she hadn't skidded over her her rump, so things were looking good.

"It was good that we heard NightFlame's roar wasn't it Mem, and I'm sure they had no difficulty hearing yours in return, now.. we just have to hope they decide to come in this direction and Zulu, seeing as he's meant to know these lands, remembers a good way out of this little situationwe have found ourselves in."

[Sarafina]

Sereana sighed and looked at Nadayshana.
"Shana, Come on. THen Zulu do what he needs to do."
She said softly. She knew Shana was going to dislike her more w=for what shes doing. She sighed and looked at her. When Shana didnt move, she became the mother. She sighed and gently went over and picked her up. She then backed up with her and set her in front of her. She looked down at her and sighed. Shana was starting to cry. Sereana looked away and at Leela. She licked Leelas head and smiled. She then looked at the others.

Nadayshana sat there stunned. She looked at Zulu with tears down her face. She just wanted to be with him right now. She sniffled and whimpered softly.
"Zu..."
She whispered. She looked at her mother. What was that for? Why did she do that. She sighed and shook her head. She couldnt believe this! She layed dwn and hid her head. She didnt know what was going on or what was hapening. She would wait until someone told her to go somewhere. She sniggled and wrapped a paw around her face. She was acting like a baby. She didnt cre. SHe disliked Sereana.

[Kirsui]

Seleter watched with curiosity as Sereana called Nadayshana. Her curiosity was sparked when the cub ignored her mother, and the very same curiosity vanished in an instand when she saw Nadayshana's reaction to Sereana picking her up and carrying away from Zulu.

The golden cheetah didn't understand. She flattened her ears tightly against her skull. Seleter had been so concentrated on Duna who currently was on Night Flame's back that she hadn't realized the differences each of the cubs had. Leela was so small and young, and Sereana had adopted her so easily... Duna was strong and her mind seemed slightly more mature than other those of other cubs of the same age Seleter had seen.

And then there was Nadayshana, who to her looked more fragile than even little Leela did.

Seleter's eyes narrowed slightly, then she sighed and shook her head, glancing at Zulu with a "give me a sec" look on her face.
"Sereana..."
The golden cheetah turned her gaze at the lioness.
"A word with you... alone... please?"

Then she just walked past all of them, without really looking back to see if Sereana was following or not. Once she was out of earshot but could still see the group, she sat down with a calm expression, waiting for Sereana to decide if she'd follow and have that word with her or not.

[Tamber]

Zulu nodded to Night Flame and Seleter as they agreed to go along with him and Karensha. He stood up, stretching his rested legs and preparing to travel. He then witnessed Sereana speaking to Nadayshana, giving her an order and then having to lift her and take her away from him. Shana sobbed in her mother's grasp and kept her distance from her, avoiding her glance and eventually dropping her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks. The group was silent, and it seemed that they were all watching the sad situation between confused mother and lonely cub.

He looked into Shana's sad eyes as she looked up and spoke his name to herself. Zulu felt his eyes well up as well, but he kept himself from crying in the least, trying to appear strong for the cub, as if it would help. All she needed was a friend, and he had thought he was there for her, but apparently there was somethign about him that wasn't quite helping her. He wasn't a fatherly figure, he didn't know much about kids when they were as upset as Shana. He had no clue how to help her anymore. Sereana seemed to be the center of the problem.

The king cheetah was relieved to see Seleter ask to speak with the strange mother. As soon as this was asked of Sereana, Zulu held out his paw and leaned over, lipping the words, "Come here," to her, but not speaking them. He hoped she would hav ethe strenght at least to stay with him.

[Sarafina]

Sereana was about to tell Shana to stop the act. When Seleter spoke to her. She looked at her and sighed. She nuzzled Leela and walked past Shana. She followed Seleter with flat ears. She sat in front of her tall.
"Yes?"
She asked softly. She knew what this was going to be about.It was simple. She sighed and shook her head.

Shana felt her mother leave and cried harder. She looked up and saw Zulu telling her to come to him. It took a minute, but she managed to get up. She shook and walked to him. Her ears back and her tail between her legs. She cried and snuggled into Zulus chest.
"Zulu!"
She said sobbing harder. She sniffled and hid her face into his chest.
"NO go... No leave me.."
She sobbed lightly. She lost her father, she couldnt loose her best friend.

[Kirsui]

Seleter waited calmly for Sereana to come to her. She had a normal, blank face as she watched the lioness walk up to her with flattened ears and sit down. The golden cheetah momentarily looked towards the group and saw Nadayshana pounce at Zulu and hug the king cheetah tightly.

"Sereana..."
She sighed and turned her gaze at the lioness. Her voice was quiet, but still firm.
"I want to ask you something, only one thing this time... And I want you to answer me truthfully."
She paused, tilting her head slightly while her gaze was locked on Sereana. She didn't have a blaming expression, not even angry. She simply looked friendly and curious.
"Do you love Nadayshana? Do you really love her as much as a mother has to - or should - love?"