Chapter 17:

The Cave

" But what if he's right? What if it's not his fault that the others didn't manage to escape?" asked Uhuru, " Neither or less Uhuru. It was his fault that they got in such danger," said Trya trying to explain her point, " That's why a true leader must be willing to take the credit when things are good. And others are to be blamed when things go bad," said Mabawa, Bulldozer stepped in and said " But Ubinasfi. Ooooh, he's meant to be blamed for because he led the others to danger, made our herd smaller, and…,".

Before Bulldozer could continue on there was a whinny nearby and they gasped.

" Dudes, what was that?" asked One-ton.

" It sounds like it came from up ahead," said Trya lifting her head up high.

" Okay, let's stay calm. What's the worst thing it could be?" asked Bulldozer.

" A Sharp-tooth," said Mabawa as she shudders in fear.

" Okay what's the second worst thing it could be?" asked Bulldozer nervously.

" Wait I see something. It must be a Sharp-tooth!" said Trya fearfully.

" That's it. I'm outta here!" said Bulldozer fearfully as he turns around and heads back in the opposite direction.

" Right behind ya' Bulldozer dude," said One-ton following right behind him.

" Oh, dear. Oh dear!" said Trya as she fearfully lowers down and hides behind Uhuru.

" Everyone we don't know for sure. Trya where is the thing you saw?" asked Uhuru to Trya.

" It's right behind that bend ahead of us," said Trya keeping her voice down.

Uhuru and his friends quietly followed the trail as he stopped near the bend and peeks out as a growling was heard. Slowly, Uhuru leans out more and saw a familiar Iguanohippus stallion collapsed from his wounds and was laying on the side of the rock wall. Bulldozer gasped and said " Wait that's no Sharp-tooth. That's Uaminifu,".

" Looks like we're not the only ones left behind," said Trya.

Uaminifu weakly groans as he lays down and Uhuru was the first to head over to him and saw his injuries.

" Mabawa, what happened to him?" asked Uhuru.

" Looks like the Sharp-teeths must have attacked him," replied Mabawa looking at Uaminifu's injuries.

" So that means they're catching his scent. We should better keep going," said Bulldozer as he walks off.

" But Bulldozer we can't just leave him here," said Trya.

" Are you kidding me? There are two Sharp-teeths out tracking us and I am not going to end up as dinner," said Bulldozer as he keeps walking off.

Uhuru became concerned about Uaminifu's condition and said " Hey, you don't look so good. Here let me help you,". But Uaminifu said dismissively " Save yourself. I just need some rest. Now, get away from me,".

" Suit yourself," said Uhuru.

Then lightning flashed and thunderclaps were heard as Uhuru and Trya looked up as a huge storm was beginning to start. Then Uhuru heard something dropped near him and looks down to see One-ton with a sharp rock.

" Hey, dudes look at this cool rock I found. Pretty cool, huh?" said One-ton.

" One-ton. Where did you found that pointy rock?" asked Uhuru as he looks at where the rock was pointing.

" Oh, I found it over there in that cave," replied One-ton as he glanced back at the cave nearby.

" If you changed your mind, we'll be in those caves," said Uhuru to Uaminifu as he heads off to the cave.

Uaminifu lowered his head.

Soon, Uhuru and his friends got to the cave as it starts to rain.

" It's dark. But at least it's dry," said Uhuru as he looks around the cave.

" Pfft, us Bull-horns never have trouble with dry or the darkness," bragged Bulldozer. But then he suddenly studded his right foot on One-tons armor.

" Dude! Stop stepping on my armor!" yelled One-ton.

" Your armor was in my way!" yelled Bulldozer.

Uhuru chuckled until Trya gestured outside and said " Uh, Uhuru. We appear to have a visitor,".

Outside the cave, Uaminifu was seen limping as Uhuru and Trya watched. Uaminfu turns towards the cave for a moment but then he continues on as he collapse. Seeing Uaminifu collapsed from his wounds, Uhuru remembers when his adopted mother collapsed from her injuries. So Uhuru started heading over to him as Mabawa watched. Uaminifu lays weakly on the ground as Uhuru's foot lands near him and looks up at him.

" So you coming in or what?" asked Uhuru.

" What is it with you?" inquired Uaminifu.

" You know my mother once taught me how to get in out of the rain," said Uhuru.

" Now come on Uaminifu, on your feet," said Uhuru as he moves around Uaminifu.

Uaminifu slowly climbs to his feet as Uhuru assisted him. He was soon standing as he took a step forward and stumbled a bit, Uhuru went to help but Uaminifu shoved him aside and they both headed inside the cave. They got inside the cave as Uaminifu looked over to Uhuru's friends.

" You can lay down with us. It's warmer," said Uhuru offering Uaminifu.

But Uaminifu turns away to find a different spot to rest and Mabawa noticed the wounds on him as she then noticed some plants and flew over to them.

" May Ah' remind you Uhuru that he's one of them?" said Trya.

" Well, looks like he's one of us now, Trya," said Uhuru.

Uaminifu limped over to a rock and soon lays down.

Mabawa flew over to the plants and grabs one of them.

Meanwhile, the others were settling down for the night.

" Man. who booked this trip, anyway?" said Bulldozer lying down.

" Don't worry Bulldozer, we'll be at The Valley Of Freedom soon enough," said Uhuru.

" Well, when we get there, I'm gonna give Ubinasfi a piece of my mind," said Bulldozer.

" You tell him Bulldozer," said Uhuru.

Then Uhuru looked over as One-ton was on his back and yawns.

" Well, goodnight dudes. See you in the morning," said One-ton as he falls deeply asleep.

" Does he always sleeps like that?" asked Uhuru.

" That's exactly how he sleeps," replied Trya.

" If he sleeps like that any longer, he'd be dead," said Bulldozer.

Then they all laughed at his joke.

Meanwhile, Mabawa flew over Uaminifu with the plant in beak.

" Here, this plant grew in our valley," said Mabawa.

Uaminifu remained silent as looked down at her.

" It'll make you feel better," said Mabawa reaching her wing into the plant.

Then she spreads the plants juice on a gash as Uaminifu grunted in pain and soon fades away in relief. Mabawa placed the plant down and begins to leave. Then Uaminifu spoke.

" Why is he doing this? Pushing them on with false hope?" asked Uaminifu.

" Actually it's our friendship that gotten us this far," said Mabawa.

" But why does he give it to them? They're so different from him," said Uaminifu as looks at Uhuru and his friends.

" And what makes you say that?" asked Mabawa.

" Because different things never work together," said Uaminifu.

" Even if we're different on the outside. Remember, Uaminifu, we're the same on the inside," said Mabawa.

Uaminifu remained silent again.

" Well, it's your choice," said Mabawa.

Then Mabawa turns and flew off as Uaminifu watched her as she rejoins the others as they fell asleep. Then Uaminifu turns to the plant and brought his right front foot over it and pulls it closer to him.