Part 1 - Let the journey begin... [Finished]

[mahewarac]

" you both need to examine why you want to be in this group, because unless things improve, I will be taking Meri and Sanura and we will go to the mountains by ourselves, where snowball requested we might start our journey."

"Excuse me, I will not take fault for this." Kigeni snapped, standing. "One, do you even know what happened? Two, Figgy was the one dragging Meri around, and three, Figgy threatened to kill me. Do you expect me to just sit there? Just because my position in this group is shaky doesn't mean I'm going to be pushed around. I've spent my entire life getting pushed around by cats, and trust me, it's hell." She walked forward.

"Plus, I was the one trying to get things moving. I would LOVE to go to the mountains." She returned to her place, lying down. "I'm just trying to get some sleep. Is that to much to ask?"

Did I say to much? She wondered, twitching her tail thoughtfully. Oh well. What's said is said.

[Deleted]

The tiger cub just stood there pressing in close against her friend, her mouth was wide open, and her little head just kept going back and forth at those standing in front of her arguing. She knew she couldn't say anything or roar wouldn't be heard over all the name calling, she wondered where karensha was, cause if she came back there would be big trouble.

Sanuira watched as Figgy came over and picked up Meri by the scruff of her neck, she had never seen him looking like he was going to burst before. Realising he was going to take Meri with him, Sanura tried to jump up and hold onto her friends back leg, but her paws missed and she fell back on her rump beside Rondea.

Next thing she knew Meri had spoken in a big loud voice, telling Figgy to put her down, wow Meri sounded like a big grown up, the way she had said it, it made Sanura smile., but her smile slipped as she saw Karensha had come back and she didn't look very happy.
Leaning into Meri she whispered to her
"Karensha is here Meri and shes real angry with figgy and them, I betcha someones going to get grounded."

[cheezeegriff]

"Did you think to ask Meri what she would like to do ?, did you all forget that she has just been through a trauma ? NO.. I guess you didn't... Did you all think she would be pleased to be dragged around like a piece of fresh meat, with no concern over how she was feeling or her own say in the matter ? "

How many times did I ask the little runt?
Figgy thought, but of course said nothing. Karensha wouldn't understand, and with frustration he realised it wouldn't matter to her that he had only been...

"... trying to help!"
he blurted, then fell silent as self-consciousness kicked in.

"I expected from you Figgy... more, maybe I just shouldn't have expectations from those I think I care about and then I wont get hurt."

Boy... is this what it's like to love someone? To have them constantly disappointed in you. Must be, he thought. Mother was disappointed in the end, wasn't she?
Vaguely he noticed that Kigeni was talking - and blaming him of course - and part of him wanted to run and tell her not to talk back at Karensha and the other half wanted to scream in his defense AT Karensha.
His brain chose something completely different.
Leaping up, he shouted,
"You only THINK you care about me for the help I can give the cubs! If that's the only thing you value in me then why don't you just pick Mister Muscular over there and be done with it??"
He huffed, finger pointing at Roneda.
"As for you leaving the group: do you really think anybody here would CARE if you left with your dependants and headed for the hills?? After all, it'd just mean more food for the rest of us wouldn't it? Or have you forgotten where your last two meals have come from?"
With that he turned around and marched into the trees, heading for his nearest trap with his claws beared.

[Dakota]

(ooc..I'll apologise now for longness of post and bake you all triple fudge chocolate slice with lashings of icing

Just as she turned her back to go over to Meri and Sanura, she heard Kigeni throw some words at her, ending with.
"I'm just trying to get some sleep. Is that to much to ask?"

Karensha held her breath and counted to three. Stopping where she was, all the snow leopard did was turn her head and meet the hyenas eyes.
"No.. it's not, so I suggest you do it, and do it quickly, or who knows what might happen."

Moving her attention back to the cubs, Karensha pasted a bright smile on her muzzle and was about to ask Rondea what actually did happen, seeing it seemed he was the only one who didn't get involved, when she found it was Figgy's turn to berate her. Turning around so she faced him, she stood there with her lips clamped shut, letting Figgy get everything off his chest, she didn't speak and the only thing that moved was her eyelashes blinking and her heart beating rapidly. The snow leopard didn't move once the lion had marched off in the trees, she just stood there and lowered her head, letting her lilac fur fall about over her face.Breathing slowly she knew she had two options, one to just ignore his words, or two, go and confront him. Finally Karensha took a pace forward and looked at Rondea.
" Will you please, look after Meri and Sanura..., I'm sorry to treat you so flippant, when I come back after trying to appease Figgy, its probably a good time for us to introduce ourselves properly"

Glancing down at the cubs, the snow leopard moved past Sefu, who it seemed was sleeping once again, and carried on to where she saw figgy had beaten a hasty retreat and was actually moving just up ahead of her.
ok.. it's time for action, lets see what he makes of this

Karensha's claws dug into the ground as she sped up, then she took a flying leap and on purpose landed heavily on him, knocking him over and onto his side, right where she wanted him. Jumping to her paws, she stood over him, two paws each side and lowered her head, so her muzzle was not quite touching his, but her eyes locked onto his.

" Well, you had a lot to say back there, but... I thought I would correct a few things while you are..lets say.. not in a position to walk away". Moving a little more, she let the fluffyness of her tuft caress the top of his chest, just slightly swaying so he could feel the movement.
" I'm sorry you feel that I and the cubs are a burden to you, and that what meagre food we have eaten, was taken away from your stomach, and that you think you are nothing more than a glorified cubsitter."
Karensha then rubbed her cheek against his in slow motion, and let her tongue follow along his cheek line and pulled back, making eye contact once more.
" I shall miss you, when myself and the cubs head for the hills, but seeing no one cares about me, you will be able to breath a sigh of relief that those huge burdens I cast upon you will have been lifted, wont you Figgy ?"
Karensha watched him quietly absorb her words, moving her paws she lowered her selfdown so their chests met and warmed each other. While she lay there against him, she rubbed her face along his giving a small purr, feeling him relax even more, she made her move.
Pushing herself back up and away ,she stood there looking down upon him
"Is that what you wanted from me Figgy, it certainly kept you quiet for a moment, I told you if you get me, the cubs come too, no ifs or buts, we are a package, I wont put up with whatever is going on with you and those others out there, I really dont give a toss, what I do care about, is that Meri and Sanura are kept safe and happy, and that they have positives actions going on in there lives, and that Figgy is my sole aim in life now, because it seems I have nothing else. I didn't ask to be their protector, for all I know those other three left because of something I have done, something thats in my past I can't remember about, I don't really care, I'm taking each day as it comes, and I thought you would be there to share it with me."

Karensha paused and gave him a small smile "take care of yourself Figgy, I only wish the best for you, you are special, whether you realise that or not, and what could have been.. who knows."
Turning, and not looking back, Karenhsa willed her self not to cry, and made her way back to the two important things left in her life.

[mahewarac]

Kigeni looked up as Kerensha said her rather dramatic goodbye to Figgy (Cats). Come on...he raises his voice at her slightly once after they fought once and it's "I must say this elongated goodbye of extreme sadness! Oh, woe is me!"

No matter. She hoped the snow leopard had fun trying to find food, water, and shelter up in the rocky mountains with two cubs- one of which was blind- yep, that won't go badly! But hey, did she even ask the cubs if they wanted to go before she decided?

"And you talk about us dragging around the cubs. What makes you think the cubs want to leave? Did you even ask them?" She got up, walking close to the snow leopard. "Who dragging them around like a piece of meat now?"

Pausing by Figgy, she whispered. "Don't worry, they'll be back every time they need food."

[cheezeegriff]

"Don't worry, they'll be back every time they need food."

Figgy looked at Kigeni with disgust - he couldn't believe she had followed Karensha into the woods just to say something so stupid! - but he ignored her and instead kicked his legs and heaved until he was standing upright again.
Karensha was still walking away through the woods, back to camp, and Figgy groaned in misery. Her rejection couldn't have been more cruel - a touch of sweetness, the first she had shown him, just to make the sour taste of rejection all the more strong. The fact that she had it in her made him angry again, and so he bellowed,
"So THIS is what it's like to love someone, is it?? When I don't get thanks for feeding you and your cubs I should feel guilty for saying so. When I try to teach your cub something valuable I'm told I'm dragging her around like an 'object.' When you're being unfair and I get angry, you assume I don't care about you. There's something very basic I can conclude from all this: Love SUCKS!
"If this is how you treated the "other three" you mentioned - every attempt made to do something good met with criticism, every meal caught met with silence - then no wonder they left and no wonder you're all alone. Seeing as you're the only one who can take care of your cubs 'properly' then perhaps you SHOULD be alone. Don't want anyone with no experience with cubs interfering and - oh - making a mistake now, do we? Hah! So go off to the mountains with your cubs! I'm sure it's safer there than it is here. After all if you were blind in the forest there's only TREES to walk into here, wheras in the mountains, there's plenty of cliffs to wander off too.
"So say goodbye to Sanura for me! After all, she was the only one who actually appeared to like me for who I was, rather than what I could do. And tell Meri she aught to be nicer to those she depends on!"
Figgy turned and, taking a swipe at Kigeni with his paw, continued his march into the woods.

[mahewarac]

OOC: Sorry for replying so fast. I just need to get it out of my system.

"GAH!" Kigeni cried as the heavy paw hit her face. "Alright, that's it." She ran behind Figgy, jumping in front of his path.

"Now, don't you get all lion-ish and blow up about how you're gonna eat me now, cause I've had it. What is your issue? Did you not see I was on your side then!? I dunno what your problem is, but you can't go picking on someone smaller then you every time you get mad. Get your act together and stop acting like a such a cub."

She stepped away and started to walk back to camp, but paused and turned to him again.

"And are you denying that what I said was true? Of course she's gonna come back for food! Chances are she as no idea what life in the mountains is really like, cause trust me, there aren't many more animals then buzzards and rats. Decide what side you are on. Do you want her to stay, being subjected to whatever she says, or do you want her to learn her lesson up in the mountains?"

Finally, she walked back to camp. "And by the way," Kigeni shouted back, "The fact that love sucks is old, old news."

[epppe]

Too much drama, something that Sefu absolutely hated. He never could see how others always had to get emotional and would think irrational. Seeing how that it was only him, the new guy, and the cubs now, he tried to listen to the others from far away. He had a hard time trying to hear them until Figgy started to yell. The stuff Figgy was saying just brought a smile to Sefu face because of how it foolish it sounded. He got up, and started to stretch after yawning.

“Hey new guy, you seem to be having fun watching over the cubs. How bout you keep on doing that and I’ll go see what the others are doing.” After saying that he looked down at the cubs, “You two stay with him okay, we don’t need any more blind cubs.”

Turning around, he started to jog to where the others were. Before reaching the spot, he saw Karensha on her way back and noticed a sad look on her face but Sefu just kept running. After seeing, the leopard, he found the hyena moving back to the camp to. Finally reaching Figgy, Sefu just started to walk by him.

“What’s the problem with you right now? You’re acting like an egotistical little brat.”

[Deleted]

Sanura sat there beside Meri who hadn't said anything while everyone was arguing, leaning down she looked once more at her friend, then up at Rondea.
"Why are Kigeni and Figgy angry at Karensha, she's sorta like our big sister now, they shouldn't be mean at her."

Sitting there the tigercub watched the hyena being rude first she was gonna eat us, now shes making others cry.
Moving forward she stood beside the hyena looking her up and down, and then licking her lips she spoke slowly
" You are a mean ugly animal, who don't know anything about karenhsa, she saved our lives before any of you came along, she saved us from being killed by monsters who attacked us, and she ended up real badly hurt and she doesn't know anything about who she is or nothing, so you start being nicer to her or...or.. I will fight you, and eat you for dinner instead."

Sanura stared at Kigeni, poked out her small tongue, and then turned and ran back to where Meri was still with Rondea.
"There I told her off, real good"

[Kirsui]

" Will you please, look after Meri and Sanura..., I'm sorry to treat you so flippant, when I come back after trying to appease Figgy, its probably a good time for us to introduce ourselves properly"

Rondea nodded politely and watched Karensha walk after Figgy. It didn't take long before Kigeni disappeared as well, followed soon by Sefu who told him to look after the cubs. He shook his head with slight amusement, turning his cyan eyes to the two small felines he was to look after.

"Why are Kigeni and Figgy angry at Karensha, she's sorta like our big sister now, they shouldn't be mean at her."

Movement from his eyecorner caught his attention and he lifted his head. It was Kigeni.
"Truth is, Sanura... I have no idea."
He watched Sanura walk away to Kigeni, and decided the hyena would be no threat to the small tiger. And so his attention returned to Meri. She laid flat on her belly, looking rather miserable over everything that had happened.

Glancing at the direction of the hyena and seeing the tiger was still speaking with her, he slowly reached to Meri with his front paws and pulled the cub closer. Meri tensed from the sudden touch, looking very much like a scared antelope who would run away at any moment.
"Only me, Meri", Rondea said with a calm voice. "Nothing to be afraid of."
The small lioness remained tense for a few more moments, until she came to the conclusion Rondea wouldn't eat her alive. She took a more comfortable position, placing her head on his other front leg and unconsciously curling herself into his long, white mane. From a bit further away one would most likely think her blue hair was part of Rondea's mane if one didn't look closely.

Rondea chuckled at her actions, then lifted his head in time to see Sanura return from Kigeni.

"There I told her off, real good"

"I am sure you did, Sanura", he replied with amusement. He then playfully poked the tiger's nose.
"No one on their right mind messes with such a brave tiger as yourself."

[mahewarac]

" You are a mean ugly animal, who don't know anything about karenhsa, she saved our lives before any of you came along, she saved us from being killed by monsters who attacked us, and she ended up real badly hurt and she doesn't know anything about who she is or nothing, so you start being nicer to her or...or.. I will fight you, and eat you for dinner instead."

Those kids worshiped Kerensha, Kigeni figured. She rolled her eyes.

"If they're to stupid to realize that she ain't perfect either, that is not my problem." Mumbling to herself, she lay back down by the waterhole. Trying to insult hyenas was like trying to squish fruit juices. It's happened to much it doesn't effect it anymore. Granted she could just swallow the little tiger in one bite, but though words don't hurt her, adult lion teeth and claws sure do.

"Don't worry kid, once Kerensha packs you and Meri up and takes you guys to the mountains alone like she says she is you won't have to deal with the rest of us anymore."

[Kirsui]

"Don't worry kid, once Kerensha packs you and Meri up and takes you guys to the mountains alone like she says she is you won't have to deal with the rest of us anymore."

Meri took a deep breath and poofed her hair out of her face when she let it out, turning her head somewhat to the direction where the hyena's voice had come from while still letting her chin rest on Rondea's front leg.
"Are you not coming with us then?"
A thoughtful expression came to her face.
"Ya know, Kigeni... I don't mind having you around as much as I thought I would. Sure, sometimes the things you say seem hard and so, but..."
She smiled faintly.
"I think this group needs someone with a sharp tongue. Things would be much more boring if you weren't here. That, and you seem to be right about the things you say."
She snorted.
"If only they would open their ears and listen..."

She then shrugged and took a more comfortable position between Rondea's front legs. The white maned lion watched her wriggling with a lifted eyebrow. Really, it was a wonder she fit there. It was odd how large she actually was, for when she was with Sanura the two seemed to be almost the same size. And yet Rondea thought had Sanura been the one resting between his front feet there wouldn't have been as much trouble finding a comfortable position as Meri had.

[cheezeegriff]

"What is your issue? Did you not see I was on your side then!? I dunno what your problem is, but you can't go picking on someone smaller then you every time you get mad."

"I don't pick sides with a hyena. It's your fault all this started!"
Figgy said, continuing to march into the woods, and rolling his eyes when Sefu marched up besides him.

“What’s the problem with you right now? You’re acting like an egotistical little brat.”

Figgy continued marching, still trembling with anger and doing his best to stop himself from doing something dumb. Finally he sat on his haunches and started counting off on his fingers.
"First: the hyena embarasses me in front of everyone - everyone I've started to care about - and when I try to defend myself, second: YOU threaten me with death. Third: The cub I've been asked to take care of won't do what I say, even though it's for HER benefit, and fourth: when Karensha comes back, she gets angry at ME for 'carrying Meri off against her will,' even though I had asked her five times and put her down when she told me to!
"And finally, sixth: Karensha just dumped me for being angry at her - when she was angry with me first!"
He sighed. And it wasn't a nice 'dump' either.
"So that's why I'm acting like an egotistical little brat. You can all go wandering off into the mountains for whatever reason you WANT to pick the hard path but this is my home right here. I'll be glad when you all finally leave."
Figgy kept walking: there, he had said it. Finally he thought he'd found a bunch of people he could care about - especially about Karensha and her cubs, particularly the stripey one - but she didn't care about him. She only saw him as a supply of food for her cubs. She'd left him in charge of protecting them whilst she had a swim, but had only wanted him to stand guard, and when he dared to do something different she had been mad at him. Then she had tortured him with her affection and left. Well, so much for her.
"Phah! Leopards."

YOU SAID IT.

Figgy stopped, cocking his head.
"You mean you actually agree with me for once?"

I AGREE WITH YOU LOTS. I JUST DON'T SAY ANYTHING WHEN I DO.

"Humph."
He wandered on.
"So what do you think, exactly?"

I THINK YOU'RE A LOT TO PUT UP WITH, AND IF SHE'S DUMPED YOU ON THE BASIS OF WHAT SHE'S SEEN SO FAR, THEN SHE WON'T WANT TO STAY WITH YOU WHEN SHE GETS TO KNOW YOU BETTER.

"Thanks for your support,"
he said flatly, having not liked - exactly - where Jerry had gone with it.

BUT DID SHE REALLY DUMP YOU, FIGGY?

He stopped.
"Of course she did! 'take care of yourself Figgy, I only wish the best for you.' Sounds like a goodbye to me."

YES. IT DOES SOUND LIKE A GOODBYE.

He waited for a moment, expecting a "but", but all he could hear was the sound of the wind in the trees, the birds, and in the distance, the wanderers chatting. Figgy sighed.
"Will I ever not be alone?"

ONE DAY, FIGGY. YOU'RE A VERY SPECIAL HUNTING DOG, AND IT'LL TAKE A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO TOLERATE YOU. BUT WHEN YOU FIND THAT PERSON YOU'LL BE ALONE NO MORE.

"I hope I find her some day soon,"
Figgy said, and continued on his way.

[Dakota]

Karensha said what she felt she had to say to Figgy, and he had made the decision that he didn't want to be with her anymore and was heading back into the forest from wherever he had come from. As she got nearer to where Meri and Sanura were sitting by Rondea, she took one last glance over her shoulder hoping he would be there, but not even a glimpse of the lion she could see anymore.

Turning around, she saw Kigeni had made her way back and was beside the others talking. Slowly she came up behind them just as Meri's words caught her ear.

"I think this group needs someone with a sharp tongue. Things would be much more boring if you weren't here. That, and you seem to be right about the things you say."
"If only they would open their ears and listen...".

Karensha stopped still, her lilac eyes widening at what passed through Meri's lips. I.. thought I was taking care of them, and doing what Meri wanted, I asked her where she wanted to go, I didn't just say we were going there.. and now she's annoyed at me too...what..what..do I do

Slowly the snow leopard back tracked away from them, by the looks Rondea was looking after them and Meri was snuggling into him unconcerned that he was a stranger. Further she backed into the forest, tears filling her eyes and blocking her vision, till she bumped into something hard. Taking a breath Karensha looked to see what her rump was resting against,all that stared back at her was a dense bush, covered with fragrant blooms.
Moving closer, Karensha stood and stared hard, before she would have plucked one off its stem and enjoyed the beauty, now she just hit at them hard with her paw, watching as one by one they fell to the ground, uncared about just like her.

At last she dragged her gaze away from the blooms, and turned and just kept running. Vines reached out and pulled at her body leaving scratches upon her, small pieces of her purple tuft lay snagged lying on the ground where they had fallen. twisted in twigs and now partially covered by the foliage.
Suddenly she felt her front paws hit something and then it grabed her tightly and she was swinging through the air, until at last her body was slammed back against a tree, Karensha didn't even have any fight left in her to shout for help, and just let the blackness overcome her as she fell to the ground landing in a shallow pit with broken branches cascading down with her, covering her like a blanket, obscured from any prying eyes.

[Deleted]

Sanura had marched back to where Meri and Rondea were lying with a grin on her face and stood there looking around. The hyena had come back follwing her as well, but there was no Sefu, Figgy or Karensha.

Puzzled the tiger cub was about to ask Meri, until she remembered that she couldn't see anything. Turning to the golden lion that had been looking after them, she waited trying to hear what the others were talking about. Leaning in closer she heard some of her friends words
"Are we all really boring to you, I thought, I thought" as she spoke she moved away looking up at Rondea "where's karensha, I want karenhsa?"

[mahewarac]

"I think this group needs someone with a sharp tongue. Things would be much more boring if you weren't here. That, and you seem to be right about the things you say."She snorted.
"If only they would open their ears and listen..."


Kigeni smiled. Maybe this one was smart. Perhaps the loss of sight gave her an exaggerated common sense?

Now now. She thought. You shouldn't get snooty. "Thanks, kid." She patted her on the head and resumed her place by the waterhole. Hearing footsteps, she looked up to see Karensha in shock.

Good riddance, she needs this bad. The leopard seemed quite used to everything and everyone going her way. She was niceish, but she wasn't treating Kigeni, Figgy or even the cubs very well.

"Maybe you should actually ask Meri if she wants to go to the mountains alone. That might help." She told her.

Looking up again, she saw the cat gone. "Huh?" She asked, putting her nose to the ground. She caught Kerensha's scent, trailing through the jungle. Broken vines and branches littered the ground, similar to what it looked like when Kigeni had her own little rampage.

The scent stopped near a pit, but the cat was nowhere to be found.

"Kerensha?" The hyena called, no one answering. She checked the scent again. It didn't go any farther then here.

"Weird." She sat near the pit, waiting in case the leopard returned.

[epppe]

Sefu listened to what Figgy had to say about his problems, not really caring what he had to say but Sefu wanted to see i he would relax if he told someone. He watched as Figgy walked on when he heard something going on not to far from him. Letting Figgy go, he walked over to the source of the noise where he found Kigeni sitting by a a pit full of broken branches. He walked to the opposite end of the pit that Kigeni was at and sat down.

"What are you doing out here, shouldn't you be with the rest of the group by now?" Sefu asked the hyena. After asking, he picked up the scent of Karensha. "and where is the leapord, I can smell her somewhere close to here?"

[mahewarac]

"Don't look at me, I don't have a clue." Kigeni said to the approaching lion, not moving from her place. That friggin Kerensha. She has to get everyone up in a fuss, then disappear. Probably trying to teach us some stupid lesson about "appreciating her" or something like that. She thought. A slight breeze went by, blowing scents into her nose.

"No, wait..." She sniffed more at the edge of the pit. The scent didn't stop...it went down.

She followed the smell, cautiously easing down the side. At the bottom, she sniffed through the fallen leaves and branches at the bottom. Nothing.

"Never mind...huh?" She stepped on a lump in the middle. Digging away the plants, a furry shape started to appear. Finally, she had uncovered the leopard. "Kerensha! Kerensha!" She called, shaking her vigorously.

"Man..." Kigeni groaned, preparing to pull the heavy cat to the wall of the pit. Gripping the tail with her teeth, she slowly worked her way over, stopping to pant occasionally. She weighed a ton!

Finally, her back hit the side. She pulled the fainted Kerensha the rest of the way and called up to Sefu.

"Hey, help me up!"

[Kirsui]

"Are we all really boring to you, I thought, I thought."

Meri's ears flattened in an instant when Sanura spoke those words. She wriggled slightly to turn and face the direction where the tiger's voice had come from, a slightly sad expression on her face.
"I didn't mean it like that, Sanura..."
Her ears twiched. She was hearing Kigeni leave the area, but since she couldn't see the hyena the fact who had moved remained a mystery to her.
"What I meant", she explained to the tiger, not sure if the cub was still there or not, "was that Kigeni spices up the group. Imagine us without her sharp tongue and how she questions the decisions we make. We'd soon find our own routines on how we behave around eachother, who we like most and who takes the position as a leader... We'd all fall into our own positions within the group, and would accept the decisions made by the leader of the group without a question."

She paused, reaching with her paw towards Sanura - or at least to the direction where she thought the tiger was.
"But... even a good leader makes mistakes..."
Her voice faded.
"And if his or her actions are not questioned, no one would notice when something goes wrong... And sometimes..."
She had to fight to keep her voice steady and free of the tremble.
"Sometimes, those actions gone bad can cause permanent damage. My... eye, the one with the scar... I got it because no one questioned our leaders' actions, not until it was too late."

She shivered, and curled into a tight ball, not speaking anything more.

Unknown to her, Rondea had visibly flinched when Meri had spoken of questioning leaders' actions and how she had gotten her scarred eye. His gaze was at where Kigeni had disappeared, but the slight unrest the young lioness' words had caused was clearly visible on his face.

[Deleted]

The tiger cub still sat there listening and waiting. Looking down she saw Meri reach a paw over but it wasn't far enough and lay on the dirt, Sanura could have moved a little and touched it, but for some reason she held back.
"Are you saying you don't want karensha to look after us and decide things any more?, if it weren't for her since the others left, we could..could have been hurt or hungry or anything"

Lookng over her shoulder now, she couldn't see anyone, they were all missing, bringing her head up she looked at the big golden lion with the stripes, but the look on his face was strange too.
"Why has everyone gone away and left us here?" Sanura spoke to no one in particular.

[Kirsui]

"-- if it weren't for her since the others left, we could..could have been hurt or hungry or anything"

Meri flinched slightly. She wasn't sure, but... Sanura sounded hurt by what she had said, and the young, white lioness didn't want that.
"Of course I want Karensha to be there with us", she said with a voice barely louder than a whisper.
"She's been there with us from the beginning, she's the only one besides... besides Sheek, Dabiku and Baraz - and you - who was there when I came to this group.."
She sighed.
"I don't want her to go, Sanura... She's a dear friend, like you are.. And that is something I haven't had in a while."

"Why has everyone gone away and left us here?"

Meri suddenly lifted her head, ears twiching as a horrified expression came to her face.
"Everyone... left?"
She couldn't say even that with a normal voice. She felt a slight tug of panic begin to make its way to her mind, fogging rational thinking as it came.

Rondea realized something was wrong with Meri when the white lioness suddenly tensed, he glanced at her with a slightly worried expression, then nudged her gently with one of his massive paws.
"I say, thee must not worry", he said, and then slipped back to the normal way of speaking.
"I am quite certain they are not far.. In fact, what would you two think of going on after them to see where they have gone, hm?"
He loked questionly at Sanura, and at Meri though she couldn't possibly see the expression.

Meri was still tense, but managed to somewhat relax so that she could speak.
"If Sanura wants to go... I know I do, but if she doesn't, I won't... So? Shall we go, Sanu...?"

[epppe]

"Fine," he answered after hearing the hyena call out to him. Sefu reached down and helped her up and after helping Kigeni, he grabbed Karensha by the back of the neck and lifted her from the pit. Setting her down, he nudged her a couple times trying to wake her up but found it useless. Seems less annoying he thought to himself trying not to laugh.

He let out a sigh before looking over at Kigeni and asking, "You feel like carrying the leopard back to the rest of the group?" with a grin on his face. He looked back down at Karensha, "Just kiddin, I guess we better hurry and get her to the rest."

Sefu got up, put the leopard on his back and began walking. He suddenly stopped and looked back at kigeni in embarrassment, "Uh, I forgot where the rest were."

[mahewarac]

After Sefu helped her up, Kigeni stretched her tired muscles. "Dang, cats are heavy." She moaned, aches running up her sholder. It was still a bit sensitive from when Figgy had fallen on it, and this sure wasn't helping.

"Uh, I forgot where the rest were."

"I have to do everything, don't I?" She grumbled, taking the lead. "Just follow her path of broken twigs and such." She led down the path, back to the water hole everyone was at. Wow, only the new guy and the cubs were still here. It made sense, she guessed, since Figgy was still out moping somewhere and she, Sefu, and Karensha were in the jungle.

"Watch out, passed out Karensha coming through!" Kigeni called, walking to the bank of the pool. "Take her over here, Sefu," She called to the lion. "Water might wake her up."

[Deleted]

Sanura had risen to her paws and was starting to walk in the direction where she had seen the snow leopard and Figgy got to before. Stopping when she heard meri's voice reach her.
"what..we need to go have a look, come on Meri just follow me, I'll stop where I am and just keep coming towards my voice."

Standing still was getting very hard and one of her front paws started tapping, then realising what she was doing, the young tigercub blushed and felt bad for getting impatient, so bought up her other paw and leant down hard on the one that had been moving, the one with the emerald ribbon tied around it.
Sanura smiled to herself, maybe she would give her ribbon to Meri to wear, something that would have her scent on it, she was sure she smelt nice, and give some colour to her friends white fur.

[Kirsui]

Rondea chuckled quietly as Sanura called for Meri to follow her voice. He then watched as the young white one uncurled herself from where she had been resting. Meri stood on shaky legs, apparently afraid of taking the first step towards the tiger cub's voice.
"Go on", the white maned lion told her quietly.
"I will follow behind, you shall not get lost."

Meri's ears perked up a little at these word, and with a small, brave smile she took her first step towards Sanura. Rondea stood up as well and followed close behind Meri as she dragged her feet, not daring to lift them too high in case she would trip on something she couldn't see. And so, at first her walking was rather slow. However, as she took more steps her bravery to take another grew and soon she was walking almost on a normal speed.

Then, she realized Sanura's scent was stronger, and indeed soon enough she felt her nose touch the tip of the tiger cub's tail. She smiled widely then, clearly glad she had been able to come to Sanura with only her ears and nose to guide her steps.
"So!" Meri exclaimed.
"Shall we go then?"

[Dakota]

Karensha slowly opened one eye, she was moving up and down but something under her was nice and warm and soft, Rubbing her cheek back and forth slowly she breathed in the scent.. strange she knew it, yet she didn't, letting her eyes slide slowly shut again she went back to her greyness.

'oomph' her tummy hit the ground with a thud and made her ribs ache that little bit more, the warmth was no longer there, just...wetness. Karenshas eyes flew open as fast as she could get them, looking around she realised she was back at the waterhole and half her body was lying on the damp sandy soil with Sefu and Kigeni leaning over her.
Jumping to her paws in surprise, she winced when pain thread it self through her head making her fall back to the ground and place her head and purple tuft in the coolness of the water.
Rolling onto her side she lay there panting, last thing she could remember was getting caught in some sort of trap and flying through the air, ending up getting slammed against a tree. One of Figgy's traps I think, but he got me out and back here, I'm sure he did.

Pushing herself up and digging in her claws to stop herself from swaying, she looked first to the lion then onto hyena, both still standing there staring at her.Looking around and past them, she searched for that familiar face.
"Where's Figgy ? did he carry me to safety then go again ?"

[epppe]

Sefu started to chuckle hearing the Hyena say that she had do everything. He didn't say anything about it though and just followed behind trying to make sure Karensha didn't fall off his back.

When they finally reached the bank, Sefu dropped Karensha to ground. When her heard the thud, he looked over to see if she was alright and was suprised when she started to wake up. He notice that Karensha was having a tough time standing when she picked her self up and was probably be confused of what just happened.

"Figgy's not here," Sefu answered to the confused leopard when she asked where Figgy was at,"Kigeni was the one that found you and I just carried you here, but you shouldn't worry about that now, just relax and make sure you're not hurt too badly." He found a comfortable spot to lay in and started to feel his eyelids get heavy but was trying to stay awake just incase the Leopard had anything else to ask.

[mahewarac]

,"Kigeni was the one that found you and I just carried you here, but you shouldn't worry about that now, just relax and make sure you're not hurt too badly."

"And don't you forget it." Kigeni told Kerensha, "You owe me. You're like, twice my size and I had to drag you out the the pit. That shoulder still hurts from Figgy's accident, ya know."

She walked back to the waterhole and lay down again. "How did you fall down into that thing, anyway? Was it really that hard to spot? By the way, who knows where the cubs went. They don't seem to be around here. Neither is the new guy."

She went to drink out of the hole.

"I hope that doesn't bother you."

[Dakota]

The snow leopard frowned when she learnt it wasn't Figgy that had saved her, it had been one of his traps that had grabbed her and flung her against the tree knocking her out, surely he would have heard all the noise and come to see what was happening..wouldn't he !

Looking from Sefu over to the Hyena, who always managed to leave some sarcastic remark out in the open, karensha knew she had to thank her, maybe she would have been better off in the pit, but.. she was here by the waterhole again. Slowly limping over to where Kigeni lay she stopped in front and bent so she was close to her head and slowly leaned down and licked her cheek "Thank you kigeni, and yes I do owe you."

Moving backwards karensha was turning to go and immerse herself in the water, when the hyenas words met her.
"How did you fall down into that thing, anyway? Was it really that hard to spot? "
Pausing for a moment, she knew she wasn't going to blame Figgy, after all it was her fault and no one elses.
"I guess I just wasn't looking where I was going, dirt in my eye maybe and then next thing I knew I was falling..thats all"
Another paw in front of her she made it to the water and felt the coolness lap over her front paws, when again Kigeni spoke.
"By the way, who knows where the cubs went. They don't seem to be around here. Neither is the new guy." I hope that doesn't bother you."
Karensha shut her eyes for a moment, not bothering to even turn, she raised her voice slightly so it would reach the hyena.
"I'm sure they are fine, Rondea is with them, and they are doing what they want to do, not what they have been told they have to do...now please leave me alone."

Pushing herself further into the water, karensha struck out with her paws, pulling herself closer and closer to the other side away from them all, and then taking a breath dove under into the darkness, immersing herslef completely.

[Deleted]

The tiger cub stood there looking into the jungle, when she felt something cold and wet touch her tail. Giving a small giggle she turned her head to see that Meri had made it to her, follwing closely behind was Rondea.
"See, that wasn't so hard was it. Ok come on lets go see if we can find anyone."

Stopping in her tracks Sanura looked ahead of her, she couldn't see much just lots of trees and branches blocking everything, turning slowly with s pleading look on her face she stared at the big lion.
"You are coming with us aren't you, I mean meri and me can do it, but, I think you need some exercise, so you can come too . ok ?"