A Rouge's Journey

[genie]

One moment Memkra had been on his feet - the next this blur with purple head fur smashed into him knocking him over, the blur laying on top of him. Winded a moment he breathed rapidly getting over his shock, his eyes focus on who it was on top of him and a grin appeared on his muzzle.
"My.. so impulsive Karensha... but really I think there a time and place..." and he continued grinning, awaiting for her to get up off him.

[Dakota]

Karensha lay there panting hard, while at the same time gasping for some air to flow into her lungs. For some reason the warmth from whoever she was lying atop of wasn't making her in any hurry to move from her ungainly position, it was...relaxing.

"My.. so impulsive Karensha... but really I think there a time and place..."

When she heard the words flow up to her ears, she gave a start, she knew that voice, knew it very well, she had accidently found Memkra,and now was embarassing both of them with how she was lying.
Starting to struggle, so she could gain some sort of footing and get to her paws, she was almost rocking back and forth in her pathetic attempts to get free.
Keeping her voice low and trying not to sound begging.
" Memkra, instead of lying there, do you think you could help me get up...please"

Suddenly she felt paws pressing against her skin from the side, and then found herself being pushed off the lion and sliding fast, with another thump her body rested against the hard cold ground. Karensha lay there slightly stunned with her eyes closed, giving herself time before she rose to her paws, when she felt a hot breath pass over her muzzle. Opening one eye slowly then the other, she raised her head a little and found Maisha's face not that far from her own.

Relief flooded through her and a smile graced her face. Pushing her long limbs up so she was standing once more, the snow leopard took two paces forwards till her nose was nearly touching the lioness. Her pink tongue moved from between her lips as she gave Maisha's face a gentle lick.
"I never thought I would see you and Memkra again, we thought you both must have perished, and with all the noises we could hear coming up from this canyon..."
Trailing off Karensha stepped back, and turned towards the lion, who had by now rolled over and was again on his four paws.
"I'm pleased to see you as well Memkra.. and you both look unhurt even though I can see a few bumps and bruises when I look closely."

Edging closer, Karensha shyly gave his face a lashing with her tongue.
"there, now no ones left out".

[genie]

Memkra looked taken aback by Karensha actions, she seemed almost like a vunerable little cub instead of the feirce and mighty cat that had been part of the group for a while now... standing up he put his face next to hers and nuzzled into it trying to comfit her and started to tell her things would be ok. Yet looking at the situation, there was something down here - the position of either the others or exactly were to get out of this jungle type growth. He momentarily closed his eyes and thought please great sky spirits, let us get through all this before he opened them again and looked at Maisha wondering what she made of things.

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana gripped his fur. Everything was going dark, and she didnt like it. Lightly, under her breath, she hummed a light tune. She kept hr eyes open to see if she could see anything. A few shadows here and there could be seen, but she knew that they were just trees. Right? She kept her muzzle shut not wanting to have Zulu lose his concentration.

As they got deeper on the slope, shana started to slip. She bent her head down and wrapped her paws around his neck. There was no way she was letting go. Her humming got a bit louder. That was the only thing that was keeping her sane at the moment. "Z..Zulu... are we almost to the bottom? Can you see it?" She was now to afraid to look. Her eyes stayed clenched shut. She continued to hum and try to listen to Zulu if he was talking. There were little whisprs from the others behind, the rustle of their paws rummaging through the grass and rocks. Rocks fell lightly from the top and down by them. She jumped a little and clinged to Zulu more.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sereana stayed at the back of everyone. Being in the middle would have just been awkward. No one liked her at this moment in time. As they started to desend the cliff, she kept her ears perked. Her eyes stayed focused on Nadayshana and Zulu. She wanted to make sure nothing hapened to Shana. Every once in a while shed take a peek at Leela. Man, she wanted them back. She sniffled and slowly put one paw in front of the other. As they entered the darkness, a low growl formed in her throat. She didnt like this at all. She almost had a feeling that this was a set up. She threw that thought to the bvack of her mind and puffed air through her nose. She continued to walk, her ears twitching back and forth listening to anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. her muzzle stayed shut and she stayed a couple of feet behind the person in front of her. She didnt want to get to close and get in toruble.

[Tamber]

The pale cheetah padded forward slowly, his anxiety growing with each step. He resisted the urge to shut his eyes tight and avoid anything that might come into sight. He feared that, with this fog so dense and heavy, anything dangerous might come into vision too late to react to it. So he kept his eyes peeled, struggling to focus them through the dew drops yet hanging in the thick air.

As they reached a point where the hill began to level off, Zulu felt his paws seeping in the ground. The mud grew weaker, sloppier, gooier, and finally turned to water. On level ground now, the group was trudging through a vast, muddy puddle. Weeds and sopping greenery emerged from it all around. They now found themselves below the intensity of the fog, so the heavy mist lay above them with light wisps remaining near the damp earth. The vast cloud hung stubbornly over their heads, closing them into the world they had entered, a deep swamp becoming a hellish terrarium. Sights and sounds of life had returned, but not in a cheerful manner. The cries of various frogs rang out in the darkness, some piercing their ears. Bugs hummed around their heads and Zulu flicked them off with the frequent twitching of his ears. None other than a few turtles were visible, but the evidence of life seeped around them, life that seemed trapped and separated from the world above; a different race of savage solitary animals. Zulu felt restless in the presence of these invisible creatures. He could smell the rank of their existence, hear their croaking and buzzing, see their ripples in the water, and feel their presence in the gnarly trees. Yet they hid their faces under darkness and camouflage.

Now with less fog and better vision, Zulu looked back to see all the group still behind him. They seemed as apprehensive as he, but even this quieted his anxiety, for he felt that he was among a common mind. He walked with a more relaxed posture, stepping high over the water and hearing his paws kerplunk into it with each step. This far they had come, but there were no soft, fuzzy creatures to be seen, his missing friends no exception.

[Dakota]

Maisha caught the look Memkra gave her, she wasn't sure if it was a reaction to how karensha was behaving to them both or the fact they were stuck down in this godforesaken place, with noises and movements that were actually starting to put the wind up her.

"Yes well... Karensha, we are pleased to see , any reason you came flying over that cliff and down to greet us? and where are the others.. are we being left to our own devices or they bringing the search party with them ?"

Maisha looked over her shoulder quickly hearing a rustling noise nearby, it seemed to be getting closer, and she wasn't about to stand around and greet whatever it was nicely.

"guys.. I really think we should put a lid on the welcomes and get moving, I think we are about to be joined.. and.. and.. my guess its not something thats going to make us smile"

[Kirsui]

Seleter watched her every step closely, feeling the ground below her toes before setting weight on each of the paws she put forward. The fall was high, and she had little Leela on her back to keep safe. At times she would lift her gaze from the path to look at Zulu's back, making sure the king cheetah was still walking up ahead of them and that she herself wasn't too close to him just in case she would slip.

Behind the golden cheetah, Night Flame walked much easier on the steep path. He thanked his experience on various terrain types, otherwise he would have had to keep his eyes on the path in front of him instead of the path in front of the rest of the group.

Maybe that was why he noticed something Seleter failed to see. His eyes shot wide open.
"Seleter! Look out!"
But his yell came too late. The golden cheetah had already stepped on the weaker part on the path, and the ground below her collapsed the very moment she put weight on her feet.

Seleter screeched in surprise. Maybe it was instinct that reminded her of Leela on her back, and that very same instinct told her to get the cub to safety, and fast. And so she spun her head around so that she could take hold of Leela, and with a quick movement she tossed the cub upwards, hoping she would fly to safety... Or that someone at the path would catch her.

The golden cheetah didn't even realize the situation she was in, falling down to who knows where... And because she didn't realize, she didn't scream. She just looked up at the rest of the group with surprise and confusion written all over her face...

These emotions were on her face even when the group finally disappeared from her sight.

[Sarafina]

Nadayshana heard a squeal and turned her head. She saw a cub in the air and automatically knew who.
"LEELA!" Her cry was small. Shanas eyes automatically started to tear. She then saw that Seleter was gone. "No! NO!" Nadayshan sunk into Zulus fur and started crying. She couldnt be strong... nothing was going right.

Sereana watched it happen. It was in like slow motion. She thought fast and backed up. She took a couple stepd and jumped up and grabbed Leela in her mouth. Her paws hit the slope and they started sliding. She tripped and hide leela in her paws. When they were at the bottom, she held Leela close licking her everywhere. "Leela...Hunny... are you okay?" She didnt really care that she wasnt supposed to be with her. She looked over at the slope and looked at any figure. "Whered She fall to?!" She kept Leela close and layed there. She was afraid to move herself at the moment. She licked Leela more and hums a little. She missed her. She picks her up and sets her on her back and stands up. No one was going to take her again...She needed her.

[Dakota]

Karensha heard the noises behind her getting closer, the same time Maisha made the suggestion that they shouldn't linger and move ahead and be quick about it.
Jumping away from Memkra, the snow leopard turned and looked at them both.
"I really think we need to move and move now..."

Digging in her claws, she moved forward with her head swinging from side to side, trying to see through the dark , trying to see if anything looked and felt out of place. She could feel the others presence close behind her , so knew she wasn't alone. About to turn back to speak, when ahead of them came two loud crashes, one after the other, then it went deadly silent.

Stopping in her tracks, all she wanted to do was growl, but held it back not willing to give away her position to whatever maybe be up ahead. The fur running down her spine, seemed to stand up of its own accord. Stooping down low Karensha moved forward, all senses atuned to whatever was waiting for her, maisha and Memkra.

[genie]

Leela thought the world was ending, she was falling.... then it the next moment she was flying up into the air as she span round and round reaching a peak before starting to decline again, her stomach jumping up in her mouth. Swirling, twirling ground and sky... ground sky... everything was a a blur, 'oh mummy!' she thought, her little eyes clenched shut, were was mummy, were was mummy, the shear panic inside. She had killed mummy, now she was gonna die, she was such a bad girl, maybe mummy in the sky had told the ground to kill her... little tears formed in her eyes that were shut, the watery spots being left in the air as she span to her death, she did't want to die...

briefly for a moment, she thought she heard her name... and a little voice saying no... but it was ever so much of a brief time that it did't really register with her. Suddenly something had her, holding her, keeping her safe as her heart beated about 50 beats faster than normal. She dared not open her eyes, but the thing protecting her, so warm... so very warm and comfiting, she wanted to stay like this and without even realising it she murmored "mummy....".

thud... they hit the ground at the bottom, her protector did't move and she layed there with her, breathing like it was going out of fashion. Then the someone starting licking her, licking her head and her face, it felt so good, so loving and warm and Leela opened her eyes, it was Sereana, it was her new mum and tears welled up in her eyes. She cried out "Mummy! mummymummymummymummymummymummy...." and the tears flow fast and furious as she sobbed, her little body shaking from the trauma of falling. She buried her little face into Sereana's fur, Leela needed a mother and as far as she was concerned, Sereana was this, her mother, her second mother and she loved her dearly.

--------------------------

Memkra listened as Karensha was saying about moving before she moved off ahead of them and Memkra gave a wayward grin towards Maisha as they followed, a sorta - is't she miss impulsive, 5 seconds down here and taking charge... what did she suppose we were doing all this time, look, her felt sure Maisha would understand.

Suddenly there seemed to be danger ahead but it seemed so only for a moment for there was a series of noises, like scraping and rumbling of rocks and dirt, what was going on, had they up above decided to knock the cliff down... he grinned a bit at the thought, it was silly of course, there was no way they could do that, still what was happening he was't sure.

[Dakota]

Maisha was glad there were three of them now, safety in numbers she hoped, but all these mysterious noises going on around were starting to spook her.
"Memkra whats down here.. is something stalking us, waiting to see us fall one by one and then pick us off?, I somehow had a different vision of how I'd finally go to the great savannah in the sky and it definitely wasn't like this."

Turning her golden head to look ahead once more, she could only see the rear end of karensha,it seemed she had slowed down and was slinking along, listening for something.
"Come on, we'd better catch up to her before she disapears on us, that white fur of hers is a dead give away, she couldn't blend in if she wanted to."

Maisha moved ahead a few paces, still a few twinges pulled at various parts of her body and that dull ache pushed against her ribs. She would take it easy and not let on she wasn't back to normal, last thing Memkra needed was more lioness sitting duties.

[Tamber]

Zulu's heavy concentration on navigating through the murky darkness was interrupted by a crack and a scream, a scream that quickly grew fainter and fainter as it gained distance from him. Zulu spun around and saw a gaping hole in the earth, and his feet scrambled to keep himself from falling in. He peered down the hole in shock and horror as he watched Seleter fall into complete blackness. It was not long before he couldn't see her anymore, could barely hear her, not even a thud to signal her hitting the bottom of this seemingly bottomless pit.

It took Zulu a few moments before he could process the event. This wasn't a dream, a daymare, a horrible fantasy. Seleter had just fallen into an abyss, into an unknown world that couldn't be reached. Zulu couldn't hear her, see her, smell her. She had been whipped down into what Zulu could only imagine was hell.

The cheetah could feel his head burn, his mouth twitch, moisture welling up into his blue eyes. He struggled or breath but was left with irregular gasps. Zulu peered desperately over the hole, endangering himself of falling in, as well, but thinking nothing of the risk. Seleter didn't show. She was gone, victim to a ruthless black hole. She would soon be dead, if she wasn't already.

Zulu's tawny toes inched closer and closer to the edge of the pit, his sobbing growing in intensity. Almost involuntarily, he said her name. "Seleter?" he said at a normal volume, his inflection pleading that she would somehow miraculously emerge from the pit. He still saw nothing of her, and his heart pounded.

"Seleter!!!"

Zulu called her name in desperation, as loudly as he could call, and this single word bounced on and off the walls of the cavity. His toes grew so near the edge that he could feel them slipping, but he cared very little. After all, what would be the way for him to see her again but to descend after her?

The scruffy, muddy cheetah suddenly wanted to fall, and with his slipping claws and weakening, shaking muscles, he soon did, before making the decision. His heart jumped so strongly it was painful, and he began to kareen downward into the blackness. He immediately regretted his wish and and waved his legs around him frantically, trying to find a wall surrounding this trench. Before he knew it, he felt his paws hit one, and he struggled to grab a hold of it. His dull claws sank into the damp earth, and his rapid fall slowed as he clung to the wall and slid to a stop. He was now hanging there by his toes, somewhere between the sky and the underworld. He could see the opening above him, could even see a few of his friends looking down after him.

The cheetah's stresses came rushing back to him at once. Karensha, Maisha, Memkra, all descending into this muggy swamp; Sereana losing her cubs and love for her true daughter; Nadayshana, so lost and lonely in this big world; his brother, his beloved best friend; and now Seleter miles below him. Zulu sunk his head into the damp wall and could feel his heart pounding, his body overcome by stressors. Now what? Help the friends he had left? Stay with Nadayshana, who needed him more than anything? Or die with his friend, a friend he cared for more than he had realized. Zulu was faced with a decision he could not make, and before he could make another move, his exhausted, thin body went into shock. It lost its power to function and let go from the wall. He fainted.

[Kirsui]

Night Flame stared at the hole where Seleter had fallen, his mind blank and his face for once showing the shock he felt. His warning had come too late, and he cursed himself that he had not noticed the weak ground before...

He frowned at himself. He should have seen it earlier, he should have known a path like this would not be easy to walk upon... And knowing this he also should have known better than to let the two cheetahs walk ahead of him. He was more familiar with rough terrain, he should have taken the lead and make sure it was safe. If he had done that then none of this would have happened!

"Seleter!!!"

"Zulu! NO!"
The dark furred lion rushed forward when he saw the king cheetah so close to the hole, too close in fact. And indeed his fear came true when Zulu let his hold slip and he disappeared from his sight.
"ZULU!"
Night Flame crouched down next to the hole, peeking down over the edge into the darkness. To his relief Zulu had regretted falling after Seleter and he now clung to the wall.
"Duna", Night Flame turned his head to the cub he was carrying, and he lifted her to the ground.
"Back away from this hole, slowly", he told her as calmly as he could. "What ever happens, do not approach the hole."

Then he turned to look at Zulu again, quickly forming a plan how he could save the king cheetah from the same fate that Seleter had faced. He did not want his carelessness to cost another life...

And just as he was about to call out to Zulu, he saw exactly what he did not want to see. The king cheetah fainted, loosing the grip instantly. There was no time to think, and quickly the dark furred lion reached down with one of his mighty front paws and grabbed a hold of Zulu's other front leg. Instantly he felt his hold on the ground slip, but with a growl he fought back and sunk his claws to the ground. The position he had was very odd, one paw at the hole, almost all of his frontal body in there too, his other front paw reached to take a hold of the hole edge further away from him, and his hind legs spread in similar fashion to support both his and the king cheetah's weight. for once he was grateful his tall body built gave him longer feet, otherwise this would have been impossible.

So he had the cheetah now, and his position saved both of them from falling, for now anyway...
"Now what...?"
Night Flame didn't realize he muttered these words aloud, but it was a good question anyway. He knew he could not hold on to the cheetah forever. He had to get Zulu out before his hold would slip, but how exactly would he DO that? If he moved now they would both fall, so this meant it would be impossible to lift the king cheetah alone...

"Duna", he called out.
"Get help."
He didn't like the idea of sending the cub out alone to look for... well... anyone. But what other options did he have?




((OOC: I edited it a bit, missed the moment where Sereana fell down :'D))

[Dakota]

Karensha moved slowly and silently, her belly nearly dragging along the wet rank floor of the canyon.
Smells drifted up towards her that made her swallow quickly before the bile could reach into her mouth from her throat, it was like so many things had perished down here and the rotting odour was trying to escape.

Digging her claws in sharply, feeling the slime squeeze up and over, covering her paws, the snow leopard cocked her head once more, there was definitely something waiting just a little further along, the squeals and shuffling had come to a stop, but she could smell fear in the air and it wasn't from her nor Maisha and Memkra.

Not bothering to wait for her companions, she knew they were close behind her somewhere, karensha moved a few more paces ahead, her lips peeled back, she was the one who had the advantage and she was going to use it, maybe it was that cockey ape that had dangled her up in the tree, she almost smiled at the payback she could use for his annoying antics to her.
ok.. on the count of three girl, just pounce and ask questions later

Slowly under her breath..one..two..three.. and she lept at the sniffling sound in front of her, darkness making it impossible to see clearly only a strange shaped outline.
As her body connected, her ears picked up the sound of a cub crying and someone else that sounded like teeth trembling and chattering together. Sheathing her claws instantly, she pushed herself away from them before doing any damage, got to her paws and moved in closer once more. Something wasn't quite right and her nose was picking up a familiar scent.
"Well, you going to stand there shaking all night, or are you going to step out from where you're hiding and let me get a good look at you..?"

[Tamber]

The scene unfolding before the little grey cub was grim. Seleter had plunged out of sight, and Zulu had nearly killed himself, he was so upset.

"Back away from this hole, slowly," Night Flame instructed her. "What ever happens, do not approach the hole."

Duna did as she was told and watched nervously as Night Flame caught Zulu at the last moment and barely saved both of them from a traitorous fall. The cub sighed with relief as Night Flame seemed to have enough support to remain above the hole, but she knew getting out of this wouldn't be easy for him. He had no extra legs to pull himself and the weigh of the cheetah away.

"Duna...get help."

Duna was startled as Night Flame called on her to assist him. Then again, it was only her left, with Sereana cradling Leela several yards away and, as it seemed, was unwilling to help. Night Flame wanted her to go off alone in this bog and find someone? But who? What mad creature would make its living down here besides the frogs and bugs?

The cub, having faith in her own abilities but no faith in the possibility of finding assistance, refused to take her friend's order. "Hey, I can help!" her small, but strong voice asserted. She grew very serious and approached the hole once more, disobeying Night Flame's request. She knew she was making him nervous and might even anger him. Nonetheless, she peered down the hole to see just how deep it was and tested the strength of the ground around it, cooking something up in her head.

The cub was hit with an idea and dashed away from the hole once more. Somewhere in this disgusting wet mess of gnarly trees, there must have been a useful vine somewhere nearby. Duna ran about, her head tilted up and scanning through the trees closest to the hole. Before long she found a strong-looking vine wrapped around a tree. It was thickly adhered to the bark, however, and she had to struggle for several minutes to rip the vine from the tree's surface. At last she had a good, long life rope, and with the end in her mouth, she dashed over to Night Flame once more, dragging the remaining vine behind her. By the time she reached Night Flame again, it was pulled taught from the tree, making it a nice and firm rope to pull against.

"Tate dith," she ordered with the vine still in her mouth. "Take this in your mouth and hold on to it good. Tight." She held the rope out to Night Flame's mouth with her paw until he took it from her. "Pull your weight backwards so your left foot can make it back over to this side of the hole. That way you'll have more balance and you can pull Zulu back up. You got me?"

Duna didn't wait for a reply, not wishing to give Night Flame a chance to opt not to participate. "I'll help pull you!" she said as she ran back beside the vine. She found a descent place to grab a hold of it. "Ok, you ready?!" she called out to him. "On your mark, get set, pull!" After the final order Duna bit down as hard she her little teeth could on the vine, and she began to tug to the best of her ability. Being realistic, she didn't have much faith in her own strength, but she hoped Night Flame could shift his weight onto his back legs and back over to one side of the hole.

((OOC: Sorry, I don't feel like I wrote that very well.))

[Sarafina]

Sereana smiled as Leela snuggles into her more. She chuckled lightly and licked her body al over making sure that there were no wounds. Whe their weren't she sighed in relief. She was a little dissapointed that the others weren't there making sure Leela was fine. She knew they wouldnt check on her. She was about to get up when she felt someone. Her head turned sharply and she jumped. With her eyes squinting forward, she jumped up. She put Leela on her back and sniffed the air.
"Its you...Karensha...? Its...Its Sereana.. Are you alright?! How about everyone else? Oh the others are going to be estatic!"
Her smile then faded...The others werent going to listen to her at all.. She sighed and looked at Karensha.
"Where are the others... we need to get you guys together so we can help you.."
Her voice was small, yet caring. She did care....its just things were hard for her. She hated being a single mother... It wasnt fun.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nadayshana watched the whole thing in slow motion. Zulu falling and possibly dying. When he didn't respond to anyone, she gave up. Now who was going to be her bestfrend and guardian? Her legs shook and she backed away from everyone. Her eyes were teary, and she couldnt see that well in the fog. She turned and looked up the steep hill. That was the only way she could go. She sniffled and looked at the others. The only one who would notice she was gone would be Zulu.. and he was knocked out. She turned back and ran as best as she could up the hill. Tears now streaked her face. She couldnt stand there anymore. First Sereana left..Then Leela..now Zulu left her. She wasn't wanted..Se sniffled and stands at the top of the hill watching the shadows that lied beneath.
"I love you..."
She the turned and started to walk away. They didn't need her anyways.

[genie]

Leela clung onto Sereana, her little tears falling and soaking into Sereana where she and just been placed - on her back, she was with her mum, she did't want to leave this spot, at least not at that moment. A small smile on her face as the tears continued, she had been unbelievably scared back then and the relief was awash in her small body. Her mum had rescued her and she did't care what anyone else said, she loved her and just wanted to be with her. Her small little heart still going thud thud thud, in her chest, as long as mummy was here she did't care where she was. Her smile widened a little more as she layed there, feeling safe and protected.

----------------

Memkra and Maisha following behind had caught up with Karensha by now and he stopped as he nearly collided with Karensha's rear end. Raising a eye brow and said "As much as I'm sure I like being behind you Karensha... you could at least said something before standing like a statue - what's up?". Sticking his head around her he answered his own question with a "Oooohh..." it did't seem like anything else was needed to be said. There was Sereana and Leela looking scruffy and dirty, it seemed likely the two had fallen down too, he glanced around, was it just them? He could't see anyone else.

[Kirsui]

"Tate dith."

Night Flame turned his gaze to Duna in surprise, which soon changed into a wide grin when the cub explained him how to use the vine she had brought. And so Night Flame reached with his head as back as he could on the vine and took as tight hold of it as he dared without breaking it.

"Ok, you ready?! On your mark, get set, pull!"

And pull he did. At first it looked like it would be no use, like he simply could not pull both his and Zulu's weight out of the hole with a simple vine. The dark furred lion closed his eyes in concentration, growling slightly.

And then he shifted his weight on his feet and managed to take a few small steps away from the hole. Zulu was still in there, as was most of his other front paw, but it didn't matter. The vine was working. Duna was a clever cub. Night Flame made a mental note to congratulate her later while he shifted his feet so that he could loosen his hold on the vine and take a better hold before pulling on it again.

[Tamber]

So far the vine idea was working. Night Flame was making progress and working on pulling Zulu and keeping his balance in unison. Duna held the vine tightly but felt that she could be helping in a better way, seeing as her tugging was getting them nowhere.

Duna opened her maw and released the vine from her small teeth. She then dashed over to the side of the hole and looked down at the unconscious Zulu, hanging like a wet rag from Night Flame's outstretched arm. Still, Duna felt that she could reach the cheetah, at least in some way. He was close enough...right?

The little grey cub tested the waters and inched to the edge of the opening. Her toes and unsheathed claws held tightly on the rim, spread apart to allow her to lean down farther. She was close enough to grab the cheetah's ear with her fangs, and she took hold of it, but with one tug she decided she'd rather not risk making Zulu's ear look like a partially-eaten cookie. She let loose and searched for another location to grab onto, but she saw nothing fit. She chose to play smart and step back from the hole.

She knew that she could, quite literally, help pull her friends out of this situation. She knew this was her moment to shine, to show these full grown animals how strong and smart she really was. But she felt that she was at a loss for ways to help. She couldn't reach down as far as Night Flame could, nor could she help pull Night Flame's relatively massive body weight. It seemed she could only hope that she had helped in some way with the vine, but far was it really getting them?

"Come on, Night Flame, you can do it. As hard as you can. Come on. Pull. Harder!"

Duna stood confused and stumped. Could she really do nothing but be a cheerleader?"

[Dakota]

Karensha just stared at what was in front of her, gradually one by one it seemed they were all meeting back up again, ok it wasn't in great circumstances but still.

"Sereana, what...how on earth did you find us ? could you see us from up above, and why haven't the others come down with you?"
Turning around to shout for Memkra and Maisha, she found they were already behind her and she hadn't even heard them approach.
"Lookee what we have here everyone, someone else to join our little party."

Karensha moved a little closer when she saw something move on the lioness back, realising at last Leela was crouched hiding. Lifting up her paws she carried the cub down and towards where the others stood. Sensing Sereana about to protest, the snow leopard gently smiled.
"Its ok, just checking her out to see if she's hurt, Seleter isn't here, so you're the one to look after her.. don't worry".

Holding up the cub, she gave her a small lick on her cheek, if anything all she was , was frightened,as she was still shaking like a leaf. Seeing there was no blood or cuts on her, Karensha carefully handed her back to her mother and faced back to Memkra.
"So, now what ? seeing its now too dark for anything, should we rest, or you think moving under the cover of darkness, would be best ?"

[Sarafina]

Sereana watched carefully as she picked Leela up.No one was taking her away from her again. She sighed and waited until after she finished talking to speak.

"The others havent even noticed Im gone...they arent happy with me...still. Leela and I fell down the slope and landed here...The others were trying to find a way down without hurting themselves...But of course someone did..."

She sighed lightly and watched the others. Her head turned slightly and landed a couple of licks upo the cubs smal head. Her side hurt a little, So she layed down lightly. She made sure she cold the see others .

"If you want I could call for the others...They be really happy to know yu guys were okay... Wait, You are all okay? Arent you? If not Ill try my best to get help or help you myself."

Her voice got quick and soft. She then stopped talking all together andjust listened to their breathing and the emptyness in the wind. something was.t right with the others...She sighed and let it slide. Her head gently nuzzled Leela.

"No one will ever take you away form me love...I promise..Not again..."

[genie]

Leela got picked up and a little fuss made of her, she giggle a little and blushed a little too, she did like attention of course but she felt a little out of odds down here. Then with a few parting licks she was handed back to Sereana who licked her too and gave her some nuzzles. She then told Leela that they'd never be parted again and Leela smiled and licked Sereana's leg once or twice and replied "I love you mummy..." and rested her head into Sereana. It was so warm and comfitable that feeling she got, with her mum, she truly and dearly loved Sereana.

----------------------

Memkra listened as Karensha asked him about what they should do, he looked thoughtful a while, traveling at night was risky yet staying here was also risky too. After a moment he went over to Sereana and lightly touched her head with his face and said quietly "Don't push yourself" and smiled lightly to her, he did't hold she was so bad. Then he looked around at Karensha and maisha and said, "perhaps we should wait it out here, at least we can get a little rest and the little one some sleep".

[Dakota]

Maisha hadn't added anything to the conversation as yet, she was staring at Sereana, watching how she reacted with the cub, it seemed she certainly loved Leela who wasn't her own flesh and blood and yet with her own daughter,there didn't seem to be much love forthcoming at all.
Shrugging her shoulders a little, she finally turned her attention to Memkra and Karensha. It seemed they were too stop moving again and rest till the sun rose, bringing a new day, and allowing them to see their surroundings once more.

Moving away slowly, Maisha held back a small hiss as her injured side rubbed against a boulder that pressed into her ribs accidentially.Taking a fresh breath, she turned her head looking back over her shoulder to where the others hadn't moved.

"I think you should all move away from that overhanging edge, you never know what might come tumbling down next, because I haven't got the strength nor inclination to dig you all out. It's been a long day and I need my beauty sleep...sooo.... everyone pick a spot and stop your nattering, and get some shut eye."

[genie]

Memkra indicated with his head for the others to get settled down for the night. And then he went over to Maisha saying quietly "There you go your highness... your beauty may now not be kept waiting for its sleep". With a little twinkle of amusement in his eyes he went and sat a little away from the 4 females, closer to the trees so that he might keep a watchful eye better.

[Dakota]

Karensha had moved away from the others wanting some time to herself, she could still see Maisha lying with the cub and its mother, and Memkra had also distanced himself away for some personal time.
Relaxing slightly, the snow leopard listened to all the various noises that now engulfed them under the disguise of darkness. Looking up she could see a half moon that was emerging from behind clouds, letting a small silvery glow stretch over parts of the canyon where they were trapped. Letting her eyes move casually over where they were now spending the night, she willed her body to find sleep, but nothing would come.

Quietly she uncurled her body and pushed herself to her paws, then moved slowly ahead a little, while her head moved from side to side watching for anything that may move, her ears alert and twitching a little with concentration. Her nose picked up a scent, a pleasant smell that beakoned her forward even more, she needed to find where it was coming from,as she could smell the stale sweat and dirt from her own body, making her feel uncomfortable at best, she had always prided herself on keeping her white body and purple fur clean and immaculate, and now they hadn't come across a large quantity of water for bathing, something else had to be done.

Slowly she moved further forward until the moonlight shone down on what she had been looking for, and there in all its splendour was a bush of night jasmine, in full bloom. Karensha's mouth opened wide in a smile, it had been a long time since one had been forthcoming, but now it was just what she needed. Moving in closer till her nose gently brushed against a petal, she stopped and just breathed in the heady scent, letting it wash over her, and calming her down. Looking around to make sure no one had followed her, she rubbed herself hard against the bush making sure her body crushed petals, letting their moisture absorb into her fur, then turning her body she did the same to the other side.
Letting a sigh of satisfaction pass through her lips, she found tiredness had indeed invaded her body.
I'll just lay here for a small while, and then go back to the others, they wont miss me and nothing will happen they have Memkra there for protection, just a small nap and then I'll go back

[Sarafina]

Sereana smiles and holds Leela closer. Holds her closer and hums lightly for her.

Sleep my darling... Ill be here when you awake.

Her mind raced as she layed it over her head. She smiled more and sighs lightly. She would now and forever watch over Leela no matter what happened. Leela was now hers and she would never let her go. Her mind stopped racing and now it was owly setting free.Her mind was blank and she fell into a light sleep.

(Sorry! Im like blanking out! )

[genie]

(occ: no problem sarafina, any post is better than none and its much appreachiated)

Leela snuggled warm in Sarafina's grasp, a little smile upon her face she soon fell asleep along side with her mum.

------------------------

Memkra sat facing the trees, it seemed like the others had gone to sleep, that was good, they could do with the rest, this was a unpleasent place.. he could feel it, something tingling in his back bone... some sense of things not being right. He glanced up at the sky, the pale glipse of light was fading and night was coming, he shivered as a gust of icey cold air suddenly blew past him. He would never of imagined his life would be like this, it was so different to the pride he had grown up in.

"Memkra......" a shadowery voice called out. Memkra sprang to his feet glancing around "Who is there? Show yourself... ". There was silence and then the voice came again "Beware.... Memkra....". The hairs on Memkras back where starting to prickle in his skin, he could't place it but something about this voice was unnerving and he took a step backward and growled.

Looking about he could see nothing, the light had gone now, there was darkness, not that this was normally a problem, he could see in the dark nearly as good as the day. A quick glance around and he saw the others, someone was missing but he could't concentrate on that right now, for he had noticed that though he could see around him, he could barely see anything going into the wood. This was even more unnerving and he took another step back, things were very wrong here. The forest had been dim in the light but it was 10x worst now, but he was a cat... it should't be!

He growled again and suddenly leaves started russling on the ground, fluttering at first and then swirling around like they may do in mini whirl winds, but this was many more leaves. Then a glowing light suddenly appeared and poor Memkra could be excused for nearly falling over his own feet in suprise as he stumbled backwards in shock. Taking a calming breath he looked at the spot where the light had appeared. There was no leaves or wind anymore, instead there stood a glowing cheatah, who was staring intently at him "Beware... Memkra..." came the voice again and Memkra realise it came from the cheatah.

"What... what are you??" Memkra asked though deep inside he had already guessed before he asked the question but he was't sure what else to say. The cheatahs gaze seemed to penetrate into his head before he replied "You know what I am Memkra... who I am, or rather who I was..." the cheatah paused seeming to consider it. "I was once a cheatah known as Cheabosa, I came to this forest many moons ago... thousands maybe... it seems so trivial now, I don't even know anymore..." the voice echoed yet at the same time it did't echo. Continuing on the voice seemingly distracted for a brief moment got to the point "Beware the forest Memkra... it is not what it seems, enter and you will not leave... alive!".

Memkra glanced behind the ghost of the cheatah, was it the forest or the ghost that had been making him uneasy but he returned his face back to the cheatah's as Cheabosa continued. "What lurks within there is not of your knowledge, there are no birds... no plants... no antelope... no animals..." and the ghost paused again seemingly considering his own words before adding "At least, not what you know off...". Memkra went to open his mouth - he had questions, but a cold wind suddenly blew up again and the cheatah faded away leaving a final 3 words on the wind "Beware... or die...".

Memkra closed his eyes, he felt so isolated at that moment, this was all so much to take in, warnings from a ghost... who would believe this anyways, he sighed deeply, it was't even as if he knew what dangers lurked inside. Well there was nothing he could do about it except keep watch through the night.

[Kirsui]

Night Flame continued pulling Zulu out of the hole with the help of the vine. If only he could pull the cheetah out so that he could change the way he was holding him... Slowly the dark lion backed away from the hole, changing his grip on the vine before he took new steps. Only a little more...

And then he had Zulu half pulled out of the hole, and he finally saw his chance to take a better hold of the cheetah. And so, he loosened his hold of the vine and grabbed the back of Zulu's neck with his jaws instead. His hold was firm, but not too tight since he didn't want to hurt the cheetah.

Now with all four paws on ground Night Flame begun to back away more swiftly, until the king cheetah was completely out of the hole. He kept dragging Zulu away from the hole until he was sure they were far enough from the hole. It was then when he let go of him, and finally allowed himself to rest from pulling the cheetah out of his death.

Death... He glanced at the hole while he tried to calm his breathing. Seleter had fallen down there, and he had been unable to save her.
<No...> he thought.
<I could have... Had I been faster.>
He closed his teal eyes, feeling guilty for letting Seleter walk upon the path that he too late noticed would not hold her weight. And because of that he had almost lost two of his friends.

Night Flame opened his eyes then and looked at Zulu. He seemed all right, no scratches or wounds. He was just simply unconscious, and the dark lion had no idea when he would wake. So, he looked at Duna, smiling at the cub very faintly.
"Should we keep going down this path?" he asked the cub.
"I can carry Zulu on my back. You would have to walk though. But we could find the others faster than if we stay here."

[Dakota]

Maisha lay there trying to get comfortable, but no matter which way she turned, she felt some pain send darts into her body. Stretching her front limbs out she then rolled onto her side, there directly in her line of vision was Memkra lying beneath the trees.

Watching the lion, she slowly blinked keeping her vision still, he was a fine specimen she thought, could be a bit more forward at times, but all in all, she didn't mind being around him, pity she had seen Karensha and Sereana give him the once over a few times, oh well looking doesn't hurt. Smiling to herself she carried on watching, but stared harder when he got up and began to pace... and it looked like he was talking to someone, but there was no one there except Memkra.

' oh great, now he's loosing it, just when we need him the most.. look at him, if I could get up and move I'd go give him a slap and bring him back to earth.
Turning away Maisha wiggled some more on the hard ground, and finally turned away from the lion, letting a sigh escape her lips, and turned her gaze back on the lioness who was crooning over the cub.

[genie]

Leela laid with Sereana, a little smile upon her little face as she slept with her mother but everything so other a little shiver ran down her back subconsciously almost like the presence of the closeness of this forest was affecting her rest.

-------------------------------

Memkra sat there, it was hard to tell the toll of time, sometimes it seemed like hours and yet other times it seemed liked minutes, he shook his head as if clearing it and glanced around, the dark figure outlines of the others lay still... his eyes focused on one, she didn't seem to be asleep. It was unnaturally dark now and even his cats eyes could't make out properly.. yet from the shape he could tell it was Maisha. A little sigh escaped his lips, Karensha, Maisha, Sereana and little Leela, they were his pride... but could he protect them?