Man, I'm having so much trouble deciding on what I should really call this fic! I'm starting to think I should've stayed with "With the Wind" because the wind is gonna play a part in this fic. Then again the current story title "Out of the Blue" plays a part in the old relationship that I'm sure most of you who have read my past work can see coming. Or maybe there's a story title I haven't thought of yet that you out there can suggest as a good title... but let me start in saying no "Finding Titus." These are meerkats and warthogs, people, not fish.

So the voting booth is open! No need to register and there is no age limit! No charge either; all you have to do is review and tell me what you think and/or tell me a different story title. Hope to hear from you!

Chapter 16:

It wasn't a good night for Kito. Even if it wasn't storming outside with whipping winds and continuous thunder, he couldn't sleep. It wasn't Bango's snoring. His snoring was drowned out more by the thunder. It wasn't Morake purring in his sleep. No, the purring was actually very soothing. It was two reasons: he was overtired and he was excited. He knew Titus was alive and he was that much closer to making his father happy again. He never thought he'd ever be overtired either. He kept tossing and turning around in the burrow Morake had found for them, unable to get comfortable.

Look at those two, Kito thought as he looked at the two peacefully sleeping animals. Bango was on his back, and Morake was curled up next to the warthog, letting out some purring snores. They could sleep if a storm broke out inside this little space. The pup sat up and rubbed his bloodshot eyes. He looked up to the surface, where he saw rain dripping in. I know it's not exactly oasis-safe out there, but I can't exactly tire myself in here... and that's what you do when you're overtired, right? Tire yourself?

Kito stood and walked out into the open. He lowered his head down and braced himself as the wind blew hard against him and rain pelted his fur. He slowly took a few steps forward, already starting to wear down. The wind persisted, almost lifting the pup off the ground. Kito held his arm up to shield some of the wind and rain from his face as he kept moving forward. He stopped in dead in his tracks when lightning flashed and he saw a tall dark figure right in front of him. It was such a quick flash he wasn't sure what it was... only that it was staring straight at him and that he heard it growl. Kito, nearly scared stiff, began to back away as he saw the dark figure begin to move forward. Suddenly lightning struck right behind the dark figure, startling it. The animal yelped as Kito screamed from the sudden attack of nature.

The wind changed direction with the lightning strike, nearly knocking Kito off his feet. No way with the force of the wind he could he return to the borrow without realizing his part in the food chain, so he ran in the direction of the wind while the animal was recovering from the shock. The animal shook its head to clear it, and then noticed the meerkat pup running away. Not about to let that runt of a snack get away, it ran after him. Kito was fast on his feet, especially with the wind at his back.

Don't look back, just keep running... Gotta stay alive, to find Uncle Titus...

Kito screeched to a halt when he came to a river. The water seemed too rough to swim across. He panted, panicking. Lightning struck nearby, flashing light in the area. With that bit of light Kito could see a log laid over the river, leading to the other side. He wasted no time in running over to the log and across the river, as he heard footsteps running towards him. He sped his pace as he heard a growl creeping up behind him. He actually heard snapping teeth directly behind him, and he screamed and tripped, falling face first onto the ground.

The animal stopped and panted, catching his breath. He put a paw over his catch, so he wouldn't get away. Kito panted and shook. He tried to squeeze out from under the paw, but it was no use. It was too heavy. He heard the animal swallow and his panting ceased. Kito shivered as he felt the animal's hot breath on the back of his neck. The animal sniffed the pup, enjoying the scent to his next meal.

"It's amazing how the smell of blood can heighten a predator's hunger," the male animal growled, gesturing to the small cut on Kito's arm.

Rafiki had to get a blood sample, didn't he? Kito thought to himself.

"Welcome... to the food chain."

Kito braced himself as he heard the jaws of the animal widen. I'm sorry, Dad...

Suddenly an ear-splitting roar was heard. The animal reared back, lifting his paw up and off Kito. Kito covered his ears as the roar sounded off. The animal backed away and looked up. Lightning struck, and the animal could see the silhouette of a tall creature with its front legs up in the air, set to strike. The animal yelped, turned, and ran away.

Kito began to stand to run, but his head suddenly started spinning. He couldn't see straight. He put a paw to his forehead, as if that would help steady himself. It didn't. Everything continued to dance in front of him. He thought he could make out a figure coming towards him, but he couldn't be sure because that's when he collapsed to the ground and the world suddenly went black.

To be continued...

Short chapter, I know. I'm mean that way.