A Rouge's Journey

[Tamber]

Shana quietly whined with fear into Zulu's ear, but the cheetah did not look away from the rustling bushes in front of him. He sat up taller, not moving his back legs but walking his front ones back a few steps. His mouth hung open slightly as he watched closely. He wasn't sure what he was waiting for; perhaps just assuming the creature to emerge before them. Regardless, he sat still, darting his eyes back and forth and watching.

Suddenly he caught a slight glimmer between the leaves. He looked straight in its direction, noticing an alarmed eye surrounding it. This was all Zulu could see of it, and all he knew was that it was taller than he was. The animal did not move, paralyzed in fear, and perhaps waiting for an event as much as Zulu was. Zulu squinted slightly at it, considering approaching it, but it reacted more quickly than he did. The animal turned and darted off, and as its head spun around Zulu caught a glimpse of two horns upon its head.

Within seconds the creature was gone. It was apparently an antelope of some kind, harmless. The cheetah giggled to himself. "Don't worry, Shana. It's just an antelope." After considering it for a moment, he made a decision. "Let's see where he goes, shall we?" He turned his head and winked at Shana with his ever quirky smile. Zulu couldn't resist his intense curiosity. Forgetting the group for a moment, he entered the thicket softly and stalked his way through the trees. Eventually he made his way to the end of it, and he crouched down low among the trees as he looked out over an enormous, seemingly endless valley. Upon the valley stood a huge herd of hartebeest, nearly as expansive. The sight was amazing to behold, and it was almost hard to believe that so many animals could manage to gather in the same place. Zulu could see a few wildebeest and zebras in the mix, most likely desperate for some safety in numbers.

"Wow, would you look at that?" Zulu whispered, half to himself and half to Shana.

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana smiles and gasps a little. She watches them and smiles more. She giggles almost a silent laugh and nuzzled his leg. She sat underneath him and looked at the site. She smiled as she saw a baby and a mother or father. She sighed and snuggled more into Zulu. She then spoke in a soft whisper.
"Zulu... Am i going to get passed around.. from person to person..? "
Her voice cracked a little. She just wanted to have a home again. She sniffled and closed her eyes. Her paw gently wrapped around Zulus leg. She hid her face and smiles. She was thinking of her dad. But as she though of him, her mind switched and Zuu appaered. She backed away and sniffled. She had to stop thinking that.

[Dakota]

Karensha listened to Sereana's haltering explanation, she couldn't really understand how she could love her mate so much yet couldn't love her cub that came from that union.
Thinking for a moment, she couldn't reply with experience, because she had none wth matters of the heart, she would just have to say how she felt about the lioness situation.

"Sereana... you say you loved your mate dearly and still mourn him, well Nadayshana is in the same situation. Her father the one she loved most and who loved her unreservedly has gone from her life, and with you cutting her off, its like both her parents have been taken away from her, all at once."

Looking ahead of them she saw Zulu and the cub disapear into some bushes and there up ahead she had a clear view of Seleter walking beside NightFlame who was still carrying Duna, hmm looks like another ready made family.. so much for thinking..oh well
Bringing her thoughts back to the lioness still walking beside her, the snow leopard again said what was on her mind.

" only you can change this situation, not Naday, or me or anyone else..only you. There's no point carrying on day in and day out about something you can't have, isn't is better to have loved and lost than not loved at all ?
" I don't mean to sound rude or heartless, but life does go on Sereana, and now you need to start afresh and rebuild a bond no matter how small with your daughter. You have to start telling her about her father, why and how you loved him, just like Naday needs to hear about her father, and you Sereana are the only one that can tell her.. if you don't do anything else for your daughter, this has to be it."
"If you need help ask Zulu to stay with you, that way you and Naday don't need to be alone with each other and be uncomfortable.... It needs to be done and sooner the better. I don't feel you are cruel as you are so caring with Leela, but Sereana..it can't continue."

Karensha moved back to allow her time alone to digest what she had said. Looking back up to the front she watched as NightFlame ambled along, it seemed he was settling in well, and at the same time she thought of Maisha and Memkra, trapped somewhere below them.
They needed to hurry more, everything seemed to have lost any urgency now amongst them, was she the only one that wasn't on a simple stroll.

[Kirsui]

"And I'm sorry I pried into your life like that. It was rude of me."

Night Flame chuckled.
"It is quite all right, Duna", he told the cub.
"I think.. It was only good that you made me tell you, there are not many who have heard of my past.."
'None actually', the dark furred lion added in his mind.

Seleter's voice brought his attention back to what was going on around him.
"I'm gonna race ahead and see where Zulu and Nadayshana went."
The golden cheetah smiled at Duna.
"Be good for him, will ya?" she told the cub with a playful grin.

And then she dashed off, racing over the grass fields so fast that her paws didn't seem to even touch the ground. She couldn't keep running like this very long, but the time she could was enough for her. She loved how the wind brushed through her fur, how the scenery was one big blur around her... A large smile was on her face when she slowed down to a trot, her eyes eyes sparkled with joy.

Seleter stopped when she was met with a very beautiful view. A valley, a very large valley, with a lot of animals gathered around in there. She stared at it with wide eyes, so amazed by it all that she almost didn't see Zulu and Nadayshana.

She did however, when a soft whisper reached her ears. She turned her gaze at where the king cheetah was with the lion cub, a faint smile appearing to her muzzle as she looked at them. She sat down, waiting. She hadn't heard what Nadayshana had asked from Zulu, but certainly didn't want to interrupt what ever they were talking about. And so she would wait, with the smile still on her face.

[genie]

Memkra had slowed and stopped at some dryish ground and let Maisha slid off his back gentle, laying there she looked peaceful. Still its not like they were going anywhere fast so a little rest time did't help, maybe the others would be having faster success at going to the meeting place between the rock side and the bottom where they were.

*********

Sereana nose brushed across Leelas back and she burst into a fit of giggles, it felt so tickly and she couldn't help it "Momma!" she screeled in giggles and she rolled on her back, her little legs sticking in the air so that Sereana might tickle her tummy.

[Sarafina]

Sereana looked at Karensha and watched her walk away. She looked at Leela as she rolled onto her back. She smiles and rubbed her tummy with her nose. She smiled and licked her stomache too.
"Oh Leela... What did i do..."
She said at a whisper. She wanted to change what had happened between her and Nadayshana but she knew it wasnt going to happen. She had hurt Nady to much. She wasnt going to come running back. She would talk to Shana, but it would be a tease. She couldnt take her back, but she couldnt loose Leeela. Oh, how she couldnt loose Leela.

She licked Leelas stomache and then her face. She gave her a small bath and then tickled her lightly with her paw. Her jaw then gently lifted her and place her on her back.
"Hows Mommas baby girl today?"
She asked softly looking at Leela. All she was thinking about was talking to Zulu....She wanted Shana to just be loved... by someone who cares...But she wasnt the guardian of Shana anymore,,, she couldnt say what was going to happen. She sniffled as tears welled to her eyes. What did she do... she was stupid. She wanted to rewind time and get her mate back...It was her fault he died anyways... He was trying to protect Shana...thats why she never like her.

[Dakota]

Karensha looked over her shoulder at Sereana and watched her play with Leela as if she was her own. Sighing softly, the snow leopard realised she would have to do something, she was tired of all this tooing and froing, they needed to be united, none of them knew what it was goiong to take to rescue Memkra and Maisha, they would have to rely on each other, cubs included.

Stopping in her tracks, she turned to the lioness " come on Sereana, we are going to talk to Zulu and Nadayshana, Zulu is very understanding and maybe with him being there in some way,he will be able to support you and your daughter, but in different ways."
Moving in close to her, Karensha gave her a nudge, "I mean it, I don't want anything to go wrong with rescuing Maisha and Memkar, and this...this..thing is starting to get out of control."

Walking again, she made sure there was no way the lioness could go anywhere except where she Karensha wanted her too.

[Tamber]

"Zulu... Am i going to get passed around.. from person to person..? "

Zulu's awe at the sight before him was interrupted by Shana's inquiry. She sounded so lost, so unsure, so desperate to hear some good news for a change. Her voice reflected her adaptation to bad things; she had gotten used to being sad and having tears to shed, but she had mustered up the courage, the hope, to ask if it might improve.

Zulu was embarassed to lack a happy answer for his little friend. Obviously he could not predict the cub's future, but he knew deep down that he had a responsibility to her. The pressure had been on his shoulders for many days, but he refused to think about it. He didn't want to consider the possibility that he might have to be a father.

He knew it was his decision to make, that no one could force him to take in a cub completely under his care, but he couldn't help but feel that he was already at least halfway there. No one else was watching out for Shana as exclusively as he, and he had a strong devotion to her. It didn't have a title at this point in time, but labeling it "father" was very scary for him. Zulu had never had anyone depend on him, and as much as he hated it, he had always kept an obsessive fear of disappointing or hurting the ones he loved. He felt that there was a very real curse placed upon him, and getting too close to him would be dangerous. It was irrational, he knew, but he couldn't put Shana in a dangerous position, no matter how unlikely.

Snapping out of his thoughts, the cheetah came up with something positive to say, as vague as it might have been. "I promise you will not be an object to be traded, Shana," he told her softly. "I can't tell you where you will end up, but I will make sure that the best person possbile is there for you. No matter what." He rubbed his face against her's, feeling her reach out to him as he did to her.

As Zulu sat up straighter, he looked ahead of him and saw Seleter sitting not too far from them. He gave her a telling look, trying tocommunicate his uncertainty and wish to know what to do with Shana. He cared for her so much, and he knew that it would be up to him to determine her future.
__________________________________
Duna grinned as Seleter ran off after Zulu and Nadayshana. Relaxing, she flopped down onto Night Flame's mane. It was so floofy and silky smooth, a wonderful, cool bed on a hot day.

The cub rode there for a while, wondering for the first time in many minutes if Maisha and Memkra were ok. She turned around to see the rest of the group, then turned to look ahead in the directnio the two cheetahs and Nadayshana had gone. She couldn't help but notice that everyone, even the group's usher, had grown quite calm about the situation. They all appeared distracted by their own problems. How long would it be before they kicked it into gear and found the others again?

"I feel like we're getting lazy," she said to Night Flame. "Why has everyone slowed down and started concentrating on other things? I want to see if Maisha and Memkra are ok. We don't even know what's happened to them."

As she turned back around again, she saw and heard Karensha tell Sereana to speak with Zulu and Shana as a group. Duna remembered the look that Seleter had given her in her little display after thei talk earlier. She wondered if it was safe for Sereana to consult with her biological daughter and her guardian that way.

"Do you think Sereana should be talking to Shana?" she asked Night Flame. "I'm afraid for her to get near her. Wasn't Seleter pretty mad at her?"

[Sarafina]

Sereana glared at Karensha and followed her to the other two. This wasnt going to be good. She didnt want to talk to Shana at this very moment! Its not fair to the cub. She wanted to be out of her cubs life forever.

She walked forward and looked at the ground. She cleared her throat lightly and shrugs.
"Uhm... hi..."
She sighs and looks at the ground. her eyes turn over to Karensha. They were sad and a little upset. she didnt want to be here at this moment.

. . . . .

Nadayshana nods and snuggles her head into his cheek. She then stepped away from him next to him and laid down. She knew he didnt want to be a father. Shed just have to be like her father. Live alone. Teach herself how to do things. Raise herself. She didnt mind... She was a handful... no need to bug him...

Her eyes closed and she stayed away from him a little. She then heard a voice she wasnt expected to hear. She turned her head and opended her eyes. Sereana was there with Leela. No... She sighed and looks back at the ground. Great.... Wonderful. She didnt want to go back to her. She rather be alone! She could NOT stand to live with Sereana.

[genie]

Leela had gotten to her feet after it seemed play time was over and walked on with them until got to Zulu and Shana. There seemed to be uneasiness in the air, she could sense that but she did't know what was wrong as she looked, her head tilted slightly to one side trying to understand.

[Dakota]

Karensha stood there, trying not to act as if she was on guard, but she wanted something, anything said that would start the ball rolling for some sort of communication between this mother and daughter.

The snow leopard looked at Zulu
"I have bought Sereana here to Naday while she is in your protection, so something can be done. I don't care what, but you Zulu can be the mediator. They still have one thing both in common...they loved greatly the same lion, one a partner and one a father.So .. I suggest Sereana just for now.. how about twice a day, you tell Naday something about her father that she doesn't know."

Looking down at the cub, lying there with a sulky look on her face, Karensha bit back a comment.
"And you Nadayshana, I suggest you open your ears and listen well, your mother is taking a big step in doing this, I am sure that 100% blame cannot rest on Sereanas shoulders all alone."
Stepping back and nodding to the Cheetah "I'll leave you three to it, but we do need to move on for Memkra and Maisha."

Moving away Karensha pushed back through the foliage and came upto where NightFlame was still wtih Duna.
Shaking her purple tuft, then blowing it out of her eyes, she looked to the lion, then moved her gaze up to Duna, they indeed looked settled being together. should I interupt them, they seem to be in their own little world.
Not really knowing what to say to him anyway, the snow leopard just moved past trying not to touch him, yet still stay on the track. For some reason she found herself holding her breath till she was past him and now in front.

"I'm just going ahead alittle, while they talk..I guess, We seemed to have forgoten about our other friends in need..anyway I'll be just up here ."
As Karensha finished speaking she accidently met his eyes, trying not to stare, she lowered her thick lashes and moved rather too quickly away from NightFlame and Duna.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maisha breathed a sigh of relief once she was back on solid unmoveable ground again.
"I thank you Memkra I really do, but I just needed to rest on something was wasn't swaying for a tad... not saying you were uncomfortable or anything, I'm sure you could hire yourself out as a lioness carrier...but still, this will do me for a few minutes rest."

Looking around her, she still couldn't see much ahead of them, the foggy mist was still lying low, shrouding all around them, in one way it was dangerous them travelling without being able to see their surroundings, but then if they couldn't see anyone, hopefully no enemies could see them either.

Looking over at Memkra who was lying down resting " Mem are yo...." when suddenly a cold shrill scream of an animal filled the air. her fur down her back rose on end with a shiver to complete it. Maisha unshathed her claws and dug them into the ground and pulled herself the short distance, so she was by the lions side.
"Just in case, so I can protect you if anythng comes charging at us" Maisha whispered to him, while her eyes darted in every direction, watching and waiting.

[genie]

Memkra made a side glance at her and a smirk on his face, in her state she wouldn't be protecting herself never mind anybody else before he made a little cough and said "but I'm sure no one will approach with that hostile look on your face.. they'd run for their lives!" he teased.

[Kirsui]

"Do you think Sereana should be talking to Shana? I'm afraid for her to get near her. Wasn't Seleter pretty mad at her?"

The dark furred male shook his head.
"I do not know, Duna... Seleter indeed was angry at Sereana, that much could be seen from her behaviour just a moment ago."
He paused, examining the little commotion between Zulu, Sereana, Karensha and Nadayshana.
"What I do know though is that no harm will come on Nadayshana... not without consequences, that much is sure."

He fell quiet when Karensha approached him. His gaze was still upon Zulu, Sereana and Nadayshana, eager to see what would happen between them now. He just wished Sereana wouldn't do anything foolish, one glance at Seleter revealed that if she did the golden cheetah would not be pleased.

"I'm just going ahead alittle, while they talk..I guess, We seemed to have forgoten about our other friends in need..anyway I'll be just up here ."

Night Flame turned his gaze to the snowleopard, catching her gaze briefly before she shielded her eyes from him with her lashesh and moved away. Now there was a mystery, this Karensha... So strong one moment, so shy the other...

He didn't even realize he kept staring the spot where Karensha had stood a moment ago.

---

Oh she could see the uncertainity on Zulu's face... But how could she reply to him when she didn't know the answer herself? And so, the only thing Seleter could do was to send a re-assuring smile at Zulu, trying to let him know he wouldn't have to do this on his own if he wished help...

The golden cheetah's ears perked up and her gaze turned at Karensha who was leading Sereana there. Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in her eyes.

"-- I suggest Sereana just for now.. how about twice a day, you tell Naday something about her father that she doesn't know. And you Nadayshana, I suggest you open your ears and listen well, your mother is taking a big step in doing this, I am sure that 100% blame cannot rest on Sereanas shoulders all alone."

Seleter remained silent when Karensha's words reached her ears. Her gaze rested on Sereana when the snow leopard left, her ears were perked up and over all she looked very alert. No, she wouldn't interfere, but she was listening closely, and would step in if needed in order to protect Nadayshana.

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana looked over at Zulu. He wouldnt ber serious and actually make her talk to Sereana right ? She looked at the ground and sighed. She didnt want to learn about her father.
"I dont want to know anymore about him. What I know is enough..."
She said softly. Her ears kind of fell backwards. She sniffled. The memoris she had with her father were enough. She glacned at Sereana who had a smirk on her face. She sighed and hid under Zulu. He kind of all that she wanted at the moment.

. . . . .

Sereana smiled when she heard the words come out of Nadayshanas mouth. She chuckled and sighs.
"She doesnt want to know about him...I dont have to then."
She really didnt feel like it. She would rather talk to someone else. If she was going to have to talk to her, it wouldnt be about her father. She closed her eyes and remembered why he was dead. She snarled and stopped quickly. She didnt want to be attacked.

[Tamber]

Zulu's ears perked up as Karensha, Sereana, and Leela approached him and is little friend. At first the cheetah was quite concerned. Seeing Sereana in such close proximity to Nadayshana was frightening. He instinctively looked up to Seleter as soon as they arrived, but she stayed put, although her face showed the anger that flowed inside of her.

Karensha explained her wishes, and Zulu was quite uncomfortable with the idea. Still, Karensha headed off with a renewed intention of finding Maisha and Memkra. At this idea, he nodded. He seemed to have forgotten about them himself.

The scruffy cheetah turned back to look into Sereana's eyes. He then peered down at Shana, who hid underneath his thin frame and refused to participate. He then heard Sereana mutter something to herself, clearly loud enough for all to hear.

"She doesnt want to know about him...I dont have to then."

At this Zulu became quite peeved. It was time to change this for the good. Sereana had been clearly told that this was to be put behind her, and here she was bickering and refusing to make some sort of amends with her biological daughter.

"Alright, that's it," Zulu snorted with annoyance. "It's about damn time something changed between you two. Your past may be unpleasant and uncomfortable to confront, but it happened. It's over and it's done with, and you, Sereana, should stop trying to avoid it. If you feel that Shana's life was really a mistake, you need to quit resenting it and face the facts. She is alive, she is healthy, and she is here, on Earth. Stop treating her like she is worthless and dead to you, because she is not. Deep down she's eating you up inside, and you're letting it happen by trying to avoid that fact that she's still a part of you."

Zulu stared into Sereana's eyes and did not look away. He held Shana close to him instinctively. "This ignorance and resentment is immature and it needs to be ended, and I mean that for both of you." Zulu looked down at Shana momentarily, looking at her more softly and trying to reassure her that he would not leave her the way her mother did. "Your attitudes are poisoning the entire pride. We can all feel it, and all we want is for the both of you to be happy again so we can move on to the future and help each other, rather than dwelling on a bothersome past. Shana," he said as he bent over to look at her once more, again a softer look on Zulu's face for her. "Shana, it's time to be a big girl about this," he told her. "You don't have to be a grownup, not yet, but you do need to face this with a strong heart. I promise that you will be fine and happy, and you will have a long, happy life ahead of you. So you've got to buck up. Know that there are good things in the future, and look forward to them rather than feeling sorry for yourself." Zulu swallowed at this last statement, fearing that it was too harsh, but it was the truth. "We've all been through bad situations, Shana, and we've all suffered like you have. But there comes a time when we must set our problems aside and work to get past them and survive. Otherwise we have nothing to look forward to. Remember how I tried to show you the wonderful things you're surrounded by? Try to remember that, and use those good things to help you grow."

The cheetah then looked to Sereana once more. "And you, mom, need to be the adult here. you have been avoiding your responsibilities to this child for too long, and now that you no longer have any debt to her, you still resent her and avoid her gaze and fear conversation with her. If you do not wish to speak to her, fine, but don't give her a stubborn cold shoulder and refuse to even be friendly with her. We are all a family, and we all need to learn to act like it."

Finishing his monologue, Zulu stood up. He looked to Seleter for a moment, feeling comfortable that she was still there. The cheetah then began to walk away from the cub and her mother, but before leaving, he turned and said one last thing. "Whether it is pleasant or not, whether it's about Shana's father or not, there is something left unsaid between you two, and I think it would be best to spill it now." First rubbing Shana's head with his to comfort her. the cheetah then turned and walked off through the trees. Once he was out of sight but still near, he sat behind a large acacia and watched closely to make sure nothing violent happened between the lions. He looked to Seleter to make sure she was still watching, and was relieved to see she was nearby, guarding along with him.

[Dakota]

Maisha lay there by Memkras side, peering intently into the fog that swirled in front of them. Shivering slightly she moved closer to the lion feeling the heat from his body, start to warm her and take away the hesitation she felt.

Tilting her head up to catch his words, she grinned briefly at him "Sshhhh you, the look on my face could save us one day, better not forget that "
Curiosity was starting to get the better of her, normally she would just follow her nose and see what happened, she'd only got herself into a few scrapes that way, but what was the fun in being safe and boring.....but she had Memkra with her, soo... four eyes were better than one.

Pushing herself up until she was on all four paws, she stood there gaining her balance.It looked like everything was starting to sort itself out, she wasn't seeing stars or wanting to throw up, she was still sore around her ribs and tummy area, but she had coped with pain before.
"Ok Mem, let's go, I want to see what made that...." breaking into her words another anguished cry moved towards where they were standing.

[Sarafina]

Sereana listened and shook her head. When he walked away she looked at Nadayshanas face. She looked broken. Sereana sighed and looked at Leela. Her tongue gently ran over the top of her head. She sighed and looked back at her other daughter.
"Listen, theres one reason your father isnt here. Im not going to say why. That would be mean. But let me tell you its the main reason we dont click."
She smirked a little and looked in the direction Zulu left. Sereana stod up and looked back at Shana.
"Two things about your father, Good Man, The greatest mate ever."
Sereana turned and looked at Seleter.
"I told her my two facts about him. Can I go now ?"
She asked raising an eyebrow. She really wasnt i the mood for this. SHe just wanted to break down and cry. Tonight would be the worst night of her life. She new it. But for now, she had to be strong for Leela.
"Why dont we move on to find the others? I dont know why you are so caught up on this.."

. . . . .

Nadayshana looked up as Zulu started to walk away. The pat on her head wasnt really helping. It was like he was just going to leave here there. Her head turned slightly and looked at Sereana. A growl formed in her throat.
"He wasnt just a good Man. He was great. He helped me with everything when you just layed there in the sun! He did everythig with me! For me! What did you do... You laughed when I got hurt, laughed when I cried....Then when Hes gone you finally realise Im useless. I guess you were right, MOM, without him this family is nothing. I wish you would have died instead of him!"
She growled and then whipped around. She started to run. She was running in front of the group. She slowled down near a rock and hid behind it Right now was when she needed her father. She curled up and hid her face under her tail. Tears quickly streamed down her face. Zulu wanted her to be strong,She was... She'd grow up alone. She would teach herself on how to be strong. She looked up at the sky and cried harder. Why was he dead ... she needed him. Didnt anyone care that she was unhappy?

[genie]

Memkra watched Maisha stand slowly and wobbly trying to get her feet and he replied to her "Well if your face will save us, perhaps the great circle in the sky blessed you... or perhaps the other way round..." and grinned at her, joking.

Still she didn't seem to be in a playing mood, she was in a curios mood, and wanted to go to the sound, yet he considered it would be better to be cautious, he wasn't super lion... if they were heavily attacked in a closed in space it could be bad... at least here it would be hard to be surrounded.

[Kirsui]

"I told her my two facts about him. Can I go now ? Why dont we move on to find the others? I dont know why you are so caught up on this.."

Seleter's eyes narrowed dangerously at Sereana's words, but before she could reply, Nadayshana snapped at her mother before running off. The golden cheetah was instantly on her feet, her angry eyes fixed on Sereana.

"Zulu!" she called the king cheetah, knowing he wouldn't have gone too far.
"Go get Nadayshana!"
Oh she would have wanted to run after the cub herself, to make her know she wasn't alone... But Sereana was something that she had to deal with first. And so she approached Sereana, her tail furiously flickering behind her. She stopped when she stood in front of the lioness, their noses almost touching.

"Sereana..." she begun with a dangerously low voice.
"You are a fool."
She took a deep breath to keep herself under control.
"You are the biggest fool I've ever known. You are poisoning the whole pride with your foolish - childish - behaviour. What did you just do, Sereana?"
She paused, but not long enough for the lioness to reply.
"Do you remember what I told you earlier? That if you would do any more mental harm to Nadayshana, I would have to take actions against that...? So I ask again, what did you just do?"

Her eyes flashed and she barely managed to keep herself from growling. Her next words, however, came out as a venomous hiss.
"You're such a child, Sereana! You act as if you were a mere cub who has no idea how to control their words or actions. Has no one even taught you how to behave?!"
She pointed at the direction where Night Flame stood with Duna.
"That cub... she's more mature than you are... Hell, even Leela is more mature than you! You stubbornly refuse to learn to live in a group, learn to be with every member of the group.. Sereana, you're not on your own anymore. And it's time you learn to live with the group, and that means you will stop this childish behaviour this very instant! Grow up, Sereana!"

Seleter leaned closer to Sereana so that the next words she would whisper could be only heard by the said lioness.
"You are like a foolish puppy.. and so, as a puppy I will treat you. I will take Leela for now, until you have properly apologised to Nadayshana. If she is still upset, Leela will stay with me until I see you'll try to learn."
She paused.
"Don't mess this up too, Sereana", she warned. "One miserable cub is enough, but if this keeps up Leela will become miserable as well. If that happens because of your actions..."

Then the anger vanished from her face when she turned to Leela. She smiled, with both her lips and eyes.
"Come here, little one", she said gently, picking the cub up and placing her on her back.
"Aunt Seleta will look after you for a while..."

And as she walked past Sereana to the direction where Night Flame was with Duna, she shot a warning glare at Sereana, hoping the lioness would at least try...

The golden cheetah sighed heavily. She'd need to speak with Karensha about this as well. She just hoped their little group would still hold together after this...

[Tamber]

Zulu watched with great anger as Sereana continued to avoid conversation with Shana and treat her like dirt. She snorted at the cub and turned away from her, continuing to act like a stupid child and ignore the fact that she was causing this huge mess. For this reason Zulu grinned with triumph as Shana snapped back at her. She threw layers of hidden truth at her mother and accused her of her wrongdoings to her. That's my girl, the cheetah thought.

But as he watched the young lioness run away in rage and sadness, he began to panic.

"Zulu! Go get Nadayshana!"

Zulu responded to Seleter's shout with a leap in Shana's direction. For a moment, he looked back to his fellow cheetah to see what action she would take, and he was gladdened and relieved that she was headed over to Sereana to give her a piece of her mind. He had faith that Seleter would be more effective in speaking with that irresponsible lioness than he had been.

The king cheetah bounded through the trees looking for the cub, calling her name in a sweet, pleading voice. It was a few minutes before he found her curled up behind a rock, her face buried into her arms and her body shaking with her sobs. Zulu almost cried at the sight of her. The poor girl, he thought to himself. She's so lost. I don't know what to do for her anymore.

Zulu approached Shana and spoke her name softly. "Oh, Shana, come her girl," he said tenderly as he reached out his paw and slid her closer to him. He gently lay down beside her and held her to his chest. "Ssshhh...it's alright sweety. Some on now, don't cry." Although she had done well by herself, he suddenly felt awful for leaving her behind as he watched from the sidelines. She must have felt even more alone because of this action.

"I'm sorry I left you Shana. I'm here now." He paused for a moment, and with the pride still in his heart, he felt he had to tell her his thoughts. "I'm so proud of you," he said, bringing his face closer to her's. "You put the hurtin' on her, didn't you? Gave her what she deserves." For a moment Zulu grinned at her, but failed to get a response. "Don't let Sereana forget what she's done to you, girl, not as long as she's still willing to let it simmer." The cheetah held the cub against him and only hoped he cold find some way to make her happier for the long run. With every hour he felt he was failing to make this cub's life any better.

[Sarafina]

Sereana watched in terror as she took Leela. That cub wasnt going to be the same. He body shook and growled. She looked in the direction Shana and Zulu ran off.
Once again I lost someone I loved because of that mut.
"This isnt going to end well.."
She started to cry. She went to the end of pack and stayed there. she would get the best fake apology for Nadayshana. She just wanted her Leela back .Her ears fell and her body trembled as she walked. This day was the worst day of her life.

. . . . .

Nadayshana was crying when she felt someone coming. She stayed there and then heard his voice. She sobbed but snuggled into his chest. She looked up when he talked to her. She wanted to smile but one thing haunted her mind.
"Its my fault hes gone..."
She began softly. He voice was a whisper. She knew she was going to have to talk a little louder. The wind was picking up a little and the skies were rolling into the darkness. She sniffled and looked into his eyes.
"He was hunting... I didnt want to stay with her alone.. So i followed him.. When i saw him... he was chasing a buffalos... When they started to charge..they were running at me. He paniced and ran for me. He got me and threw me as far away as he could. He called out..."
Starts to cry.
" I love you...Your daddys girl... I never saw him again..."
Cries and shakes. Looks up at the sky.
"I need him to come home...."
Looks at Zulu and hides face into him. Loved him and couldnt loose him. Takes a paw and rests it on his heart.
"You are always in mine...."

[genie]

Leela had been taken aback by the hostility in the air, she whimpered quietly, her ears down, what had happened to her new family, everyone was upset, she felt like crying, she didn't know what was wrong, Shana didn't play with her any more or come near. She shivered, being the youngest in the group, she took all this rather hard, deep down in her there was a sense that it was all her fault, she she brought bad things about... which made her feel even worse.

Then suddenly Seleter told her to come, but the next moment whisked her off the ground and put her on her back, Leela made no resistance, she just sat there on Seleter's back quietly and subdued, convinced somehow she was at fault for everything bad.

[Dakota]

Karensha moved away from NightFlame, feeling his eyes on her back with each step she took, she was trying so hard not to turn her and stare at him with her lilac eyes, instead she lowered her head a little and kept walking.

Everyone had slowed down in trying to find Memkra and Maisha, they were her oldest friends and she wasn't about to let them down. Thoughts were swirling around in her mind, maybe she should just keep going and try and find them by herself, and let the others stay behind and do what they had to do.

She could do this by herself, so what if NightFlame had saved her from that vicious snake, she was sure that there wouldn't be any more down in that foggy valley that hadtrapped her friends, maybe a few large bugs, but she would handle that somehow if she came across them.. yes she could..maybe.

With determination spread across her muzzle, Karensha moved forward, then curiosity got the better of her and she gave a quick glamce over her shoulder, there was no one there, for some reason she thought... oh well, she had been wrong before. Turning back she was about to lift a paw when a shrill scream came floating up from the gully. The fur on hr back stood up on end and a low growl from karensha came forth.

[Tamber]

Zulu felt a little paw press against is chest, and he looked down into his little friend's sad eyes.

"You are always in mine...."

Zulu immediately felt his eyes twinge, wanting to release his emotion with the moisture they held. But Zulu held back. Shana had been crying and crying for days on end, and he decided that it was time for him to be strong for her. It was time to be a role model. No more moping or dwelling on the past. He knew Shana needed to move ahead, but it was so hard for her to. Perhaps if she talked through her feelings with him and let out what she was hiding, she would feel less of a prisoner.

As the cub finished her story, Zulu licked her head fondly. He decided to speak with her plainly. "Now Shana, you're a big girl, and I know you will understand what I say." He looked at her for a moment, making sure she was ready to hear his words. "Deep down you know that your father will not return to you, don't you? He has passed on, babe, and it is only hurting you to think so much of him and wish for him to come back. I know what it's like to obsess about the past, and believe me, I tell you from experience: it's not worth it. We all deal with problems in life, but as we grow we have to learn to move past them.

"Your father is always with you, Shana, in your heart, as I am, and as you are in mine. And I know that father is looking down on you right now and hoping that you will get the strength to move on. That is what he would do, it is what he would want you to do, for yourself. Hold your head up and be strong. There is a time to cry, but the time has come to wipe the tears and grow. Become the young lady that your father would be proud of."

The cheetah only hoped that this time Shana would take his words to heart. He only wished to see that happy, smiling face again. It was what he wanted more than anything in the world, but no matter what he tried, he just couldn't get anything through to Nadayshana. I suppose I'm not the greatest example for a child, he thought to himself.

Zulu looked up toward the direction the group was headed. Everyone had been spread apart in the last hour or so. He was taken aback for a moment to see Sereana walking alone with no cub upon her back, but was soon reassured to see that Seleter was walking with the little Leela. It was about time Sereana suffered some consequences. The cheetah then caught a glimpse of Karensha running off on her own, presumably to find the other two. Then here he was with Shana, alone amidst the trees as the others walked through the grass along the gorge. At least Night Flame and Duna had stuck together.

Peering toward the western horizon, the cheetah saw that the sun was now about set, the sky taking on an orangy glow. The crickets began to chirp around them, and Zulu could smell the evening coming upon the land. Another day had past and they had not reached Talli Peak. After all that had happened Zulu had forgotten about his worries of leaving the group. As scary as it once sounded, and as much as he loved some of these animals, it did not seem so frightening anymore. So much sadness had been running through the group over the last day or so, and he was beginning to tire of the pride's stresses and dramas. Furthermore, he now felt a greater duty to Shana than ever.

Leaving his thoughts, the cheetah finally decided that Karensha's idea was the best. "Come on," he said to his friend after a few minutes of silence. "Let's get the group back together again and move ahead to find Maisha and Memkra. We've been dealing with our own issues and forgotten about them." He stood up and set Shana upon his back, beginning to walk out of the woods toward Seleter.

[Kirsui]

Seleter had almost reached Night Flame and Duna now, and her eyes were still faintly glowing with the anger she felt towards Sereana. She glanced back at the lioness, seeing she was crying now. Her stare hardened. Sereana's own actions had caused this, she could only blame herself of the sorrow she was feeling.

Allowing the anger to melt away from her face, she turned to look upon Leela on her back with sparkling, gentle eyes.
"Leela."
She could see the cub was upset, and if she guessed right the little one was blaming herself of what had happened.
"Sweety, none of this is your fault."
She reached to nuzzle Leela.
"It's simply the fact that your mommy doesn't know how to behave around your big sister that is the cause."

Glancing forward, she realized she had reached Night Flame and Duna. The dark furred male seemed... absent, and was staring at basically nothing. The golden cheetah lifted an eyebrow, until she realized he was looking at the directon where Karensha had gone with a thoughtful expression.

Seleter caught a movement from her eyecorner and saw Zulu approach them. She was thankful Nadayshana was with him, and so she couldn't help the smile that came to her face when she watched him walk closer.

[genie]

Leela sniffed as Seletor told her it wasn't her fault, she felt miserable over things and wasn't entirely convinced it wasn't her fault but said in a small unhappy voice "I don't understand".

*******************

Memkra put a paw to Maisha suddenly going "ssshhh.. what was that..." then a shrill shrine tingling sounded came from, it sounded vaguely hyena like but also not then it came again closer, Memkra gritted his teeth, he wasn't exactly a coward but this sound was making the hairs on his back stand up, so unnatural... almost evil if evil had a form, he back slightly and bumped into Maisha saying quietly "Maisha... we should get a move on, find the exit from this place...."

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana listened to him and held back her tears. Everything he was saying was true. She just never wanted to believe it. She shook as she held back her tears. She shivered and nodded. When he picked her up, she sniffled. Her thoughts raced as Zulus words continued to race through her mind. This was hard to deal with. She wanted her father to come back. She shook her head and closed her eyes.

Shana snuggled her head into his neck. He was warm. Like her father. She needed to get him out of her head. She really wish this didnt happen. In a way she didnt want to be here, didnt want to meet everyone. That way is Sereana did this to her, she wouldnt of had to have people to tell her why her life was messed up. Shana sighs and sits up. So now she knew she had to grow up. There wasnt anytime for her to be a cub anymore. She would now live alone, so the cub she used to be was gone. She wouldnt be Shana, but, wouldnt Cry, or act like such a baby. She looked around and saw Leela not with sereana. She gasped. She knew that was her fault.
"No...."

Her muzzle dropped a little. That wasnt fair. She wanted to be able to help Leela, not watch her suffer because she messed up with Serana. She sighed again and looked forward. Her ears might be playing tricks on her but she swore she heard the other lions.
"Zulu... did you hear that ? Or was it me...?"

[Dakota]

Maisha stood still not moving backwards or forwards, part of her wanted to confront whatever was making that hideous noise and another part of her wanted to turn tail and run for cover. Looking sideways from the corner of her eye at Memkra when he ssshhhed her, she wasn't sure what he was about to do as well.

"Maisha... we should get a move on, find the exit from this place...."

Turning fully now after he bumped into her, she lowered her voice to a whisper.
"we can't find the exit because we can't see ten feet in front of us silly, all we can do slowly move forward, but make sure we stick close together, real close. If anything is going to rush us, we'll fight our way out, who knows maybe the others have found their way down into this revolting gully."

Giving the lion a grin " ok, you ready Memkra....oh wait.."
Leaning into him, she gave his cheek a lick "Your good luck charm Mem", pulling back she gave him a quick nudge, and moved her head forward indicating it was now or never they start walking.

[genie]

Memkra allowed himself a small smile at what Maisha said but kept looking ahead and around and brushed against the side of her to push her into moving "I think we may need luck... that noise... it, it didn't sound right...". By keeping himself brushed up against her, he was trying to make her feel a bit safer and also give some protection.. he'd like;y be the one to be attacked first and maybe she'd make it.

[Dakota]

Karensha stood rooted to the spot, the only thing that you could see move on her was her eyes blinking.
The high pitched scream had slowly rolled away, now she was listening to see if she could hear anyone answering it, she was hoping against all hope she could recognise Maisha or Memkra... sighing not one noise reached her.

Crouching lower she carefully moved along, part of her was dying to move as close as she could to the edge and see if she could actually see anything down inthe gully, another part of her knew by giving in to her impulse, she could reach the same fate,as none of them knew how unstable the sides were. As far as she could tell, they were still on the same level of height, there was no downhill slant bringing the path they were on, down into the gully to reach their friends.

Suddenly Karensha decided to just stop right where she was and wait for the others, maybe they might have another idea of how to go about this situation, for now maybe all they good do, was just keep walking and see what happens.