All the Emela-Ntouka were really curious about these humans. Yet again, it reflected on how they were all kinda rejected by most animals in society because of their rather small numbers and their more... unusual appearance than most animals would have. At least it was all thanks to Kion that they were being far more accepted than ever before. The humans themselves felt a little more like outsiders since the Pride Landers and other areas neighboring the Pride Lands.
Despite this, they already met in the funeral for Zazu and how they managed to hit it off a little with the ringleader of these majestic yet mysterious mammals.
Rani almost knew this area as much as Kion, but not completely. Still, she was happy to be back here with her Emela-Ntouka friends. Turns out; despite how humid and yucky it felt; it was worth out by the humans to come all the way here from their little campsite to meet these majestic animals.
"At least this place doesn't look dangerous." said Chris.
"There's danger everywhere." said Adewale. "I know it might not look like it most of the time, but there are dangers in every part of this world."
"He's right." said Joel. "Why do you think I'm carrying my rifle behind my back?"
"I would like to see how it works." said Drani
"I don't think that's such a good idea." Joel looked doubtful, clutching his trusted weapon. "You all probably have sensitive ears and i don't want to hurt your hearing."
"Well, we do have sensitive ears." said Limali.
"Right. I don't want to hurt your guys' hearing." Joel said before putting the gun behind his back with the strap attached to it. "Besides, we want to know more about you all. The last thing I want is to ruin all that for me and my family."
"Understandable." said Adewale.
"Besides," the largest human added, "I only use this for emergencies, and that's all. And I don't want to waist any bullets in case something happens. Anything can happen at any given moment without warning."
"That is so true." said Kion. "The first time I was out here, there was an evil python named Mjinja and he almost ate me and Rani."
"Really? said Tara
"Yep. But me and Rani fought him." Kion boasted a little. "He could still be around here somewhere, so you guys have to be careful out here."
"Though i doubt he'll come anywhere near this place." said Rani. "We all know who'll win against one python and a bunch of Emela-Ntouka."
"It would have to take an entire army of those pythons to try to bring me and my whole family down." Adewale boasted. "Yet again, they would be like twigs to our tremendous hooves once you think about it." he looked side-to-side and added to the humans: "Just beware when you wander yourself into this jungle. Not just for large pythons who might eat you, but for leopards and some venomous snakes out here within our him. "There are even venomous spiders that have venom powerful enough to kill an Emela-Ntouka like myself."
Chris felt something in his stomach and he knew what it was. "Dad? I have to use the bathroom."
"Oh. Alright. Just be careful out there."
"What is this bathroom?" asked Limali.
Joel had an uncomfortable look on his face and said: "You know how you eat things and drink water and... you know what happens next."
"Ohhhhh, that." said Adewale. "We get it." he looked at the boy and said to him: "Just mind your footstep out there, child. Remember what we said about the common dangers out here."
"I will, sir." said Chris before walking over to a good spot just outside the elephant killer settlement to look for a good place to do his... business. He found himself going through many Emela-Ntouka of all sizes, who politely got out of his way.
Just being in between these gentle behemoths gave him a nervous feeling. Emela-Ntouka were big after all, almost as big as elephants as a matter of fact.
At least being with his new lion friend gave him a warm feeling. Still, he was glad that they were friendly giants. He heard the sound of faint bird calls in the trees in the far distance.
The calls ranged from squawks to chirps. Nevertheless, he didn't want his family to be very worried for being away from them so long so he... did his delicate business in a nearby bush and finished up.
He suddenly tripped on something and fell on his belly with a small thump. "Well, what have we here?" said a silky voice.
Chris got up and looked at where the voice was coming from. This animal was camouflaged in the brushes and when he finally found the mystery animal, his heart sank.
It was a large rock python looking menacing and hungry. "Whoa!" Cody said. "Who are you?"
"I am Mjinja."
That very name struck Chris like a baseball bat. "Wait, so you're the one Kion told me about?"
"Ah, so you know that kitten eh?" said the python. "Well, can you tell me where he is by any chance?" he got his face closer to his and Chris fell on his hindquarters. The snake sprayed his tongue at the human boy's face for a brief second, being a reptile and all.
As scared as Chris was, the kid stood his ground and said: "Well... I don't know where he is. So, sorry."
"Well, no matter." said Mjinja. In a swiftness of a bullet, he coiled the boy in his large clutches, making the kid emit a loud yelp. An evil grin appeared on the python's face. "With some... creature your size, whatever you are, you will he a decent lunch for me."
Chris felt himself being suffocated and the life being squeezed out of him very very slowly.
