"I don't understand why you're not upset."
Mama turned around to look at her mate. "Getting angry is not the solution here. We have much more important things we should be doing."
If Baba had been thinking straight, he would have probably been the first one to say those words. But he was an emotional wreck, and instead replied to her with, "Well, making me angry is not one of them. That Sagwa needs a talking to."
"I beg your pardon?"
"My only priority is finding Sheegwa. I can't be distracted with a runaway."
"Your priority?" Mama scoffed disbelievingly. "Wim-Bao, you are not the leader."
"Then who is, Shao-Fun?" he pressed.
"There's no leader. We are a family."
His expression softened and he walked up to her, searching her lovely eyes. "We're also homeless. Things are changing, and we have to adapt. I don't know about you, but I don't thrive in chaos."
"Well, there will be a lot of chaos if you aren't willing to compromise." She briefly reflected on her past. "Believe me," she added.
Sagwa and Jet-Jet walked out from under the trees. She stopped beside Mama and Hun-Hun, and wouldn't meet her father's eyes. He didn't know what to do, so he did nothing.
"Can I say something now?" Dongwa asked into the tension.
"Yes," Mama answered.
"I...I really think we should split up and cover the most ground."
"Like I already said," Baba began harshly, and caught his mate's disapproving eyes. His voice gentled. "I don't want to lose any more of you."
"Well, what if we went in pairs?" Sagwa asked softly.
Baba looked at her, surprised she was speaking - although she still wouldn't look at him. He looked at Mama, briefly considered and nodded. "I like that idea. Everyone, pick a partner!"
"And meet back at the pond by sundown," Mama added.
Sagwa stood up to go with Jet-Jet, then realized Dongwa was looking at her, and refusing to go with Hun-Hun.
Hun-Hun and Jet-Jet walked off together; and as Mama and Baba disappeared, Dongwa approached his sister. "Uh, can I talk to you?"
"Nope." She stood up. "I search better when it's quiet."
Dongwa followed her. "I just want to apologize. I didn't think she'd get mad."
Sagwa said nothing, attempting to search for Sheegwa. Dongwa sighed and looked in different directions. "Fine, don't talk to me. But don't run off again. One missing sister is enough."
She didn't respond, but stayed by his side as they continued to explore the unfamiliar land. They could hear their sister's name being called in the distance, until they were too far away. As Sagwa plodded alongside her brother, a memory suddenly came to her like a tug on the tail. She abruptly stopped walking, trying to recall how long they had traveled in the rickshaw and how far they'd gone on foot.
Dongwa stopped, looking back at her. "What's wrong?"
Her eyes shot to his and she walked closer. "Do you remember the blizzard?"
"Yeah."
"Well...Sheegwa said she'd run away. Then we went all over the place looking for her."
"I remember."
"And she'd been in bed the whole time." Sagwa looked worried. "What if she went back?"
He stared at her. "She didn't."
"You're just guessing."
"So are you. Besides, Mama said we'll search all directions...we'll probably search the palace property again."
"No, you don't understand. What if she's in the yard waiting for me right this minute, and we miss her?"
Dongwa tried to smile bravely. "Sagwa, don't worry. Fu-Fu's gonna be flying around looking for her too. He'll probably find her first."
"You think?"
"Yeah. And I'm sure he'll enlist the entire cave to help out."
"I hope you're right."
"I am. Now come on. We can't find her standing still." He gently prodded her forward and they continued the hunt.
-0-0-0-0-
Hun-Hun and Jet-Jet slowed their rapid pace as they converged on civilization. The village was bustling with people and rich with the scent of food.
"Hang tight. I'm gonna see if I can score us some food," Jet-Jet said.
"Are you sure? This isn't exactly the alley. What if someone tries taking you?"
"Oh, relax." He trotted into one of the buildings, and Hun-Hun picked her way through the crowd, stopping to admire the view from a cliff. She could see everything between her and the distant mountains. She could even see the reflection of the birds as they flew over a lake.
She sat down and waited for his return. He came quickly, looking disappointed.
"Ah, I got nothin'."
They squinted at the small, furry white animal that came into sight past the house beside them. "Is that her?"
The creature turned away from them and stood still, affording them a glimpse of her flopping ear. Her white fur was bright as a beacon in the sun.
"Sheegwa!" they both exclaimed, and Hun-Hun startled as Jet-Jet began running down the cliff. He let out a wordless shout as the rocks began to come loose, crashing down the cliff.
"Jet-Jet, stop! Slow down!" Hun-Hun screeched. But, too eager to let Sheegwa see him, he kept going; picking up his pace in a desperate attempt to outdistance the falling rocks.
He leaped to the road and kept going, listening to the rocks crash behind him. His heart was hammering and his paws were sore. He focused all his energy on her.
But...something wasn't right...And as he neared, he slowed down. His excitement turned to disappointment.
The white rabbit turned to look at him, wiggled its nose, and hopped away.
Breathing hard and ignoring his injuries, Jet-Jet turned around and forced himself to go back.
