Coming to stand at the top of the hill, Lik-Lik looked down upon the muddy bank, which was so saturated with rain that it cascaded like a waterfall. "Alright, a mud slide!" he cheered, and took a running leap. Landing on his back he slid wetly through the dirt, spraying filth up into the air on both sides. His friends eagerly followed suit.
Dripping mud, they continued on their way, running through the puddles and the wet grass toward the river. By the time they got there, the moisture in the grass had wiped their paws reasonably clean, and they stood at the bank.
"I wish those snooty palace kitties were here to teach us how to fish," Wing-Wing muttered.
"Nothing to it," Jet-Jet answered, and splashed noisily into the water. All the fish darted away, and looking totally abandoned he looked left and right. "Well, maybe there's something more than that."
"You're such a barnyard animal," Lik-Lik responded, and crouched at the edge. When an unsuspecting fish saw Jet-Jet standing in the water, it predictably turned and swam toward Lik-Lik, who in a single swipe had knocked the fish onto dry land. "Later," he said to Wing-Wing, who made a move toward his catch. Grabbing it in his mouth he walked back toward the pagoda by himself.
Jet-Jet suddenly lunged into the water, disappearing under the surface; and Wing-Wing gasped, taking a few faltering steps closer to the bank. Within seconds Jet-Jet emerged, holding not one, but two fish in his mouth. With a bounce in his step he waded onto land and dropped his catch. "Think three's enough?"
"For nine?" Wing-Wing responded.
Silently, they knelt, waiting to pounce.
Meanwhile, Lik-Lik trotted up the pagoda stairs and dropped his fish. "What happened out there?" Mama cried, and when Dongwa stirred she lowered her voice. "You were only gone a short while; why do you look like a swamp monster?"
"I'm washable; relax," he answered, sounding irritated. He sat and began cleaning himself; and Mama turned her eyes back to the stormy night.
"Where are the other two?" she asked.
"Do I look like their babysitter?" he retorted.
"Don't speak to her that way," Baba intervened.
"She ain't my mama." And, semi-clean, Lik-Lik walked back out into the rain.
Baba stood. "Don't let him get to you," he said calmly. "Let's just get some sleep. We have a full day of walking tomorrow."
Mama was quiet, but followed him further into the pagoda.
