When Dongwa woke up the next morning, he was puzzled as to why Sagwa was sitting out in the open under the raining sky. As he started walking towards her, she began to move away.

"Stay away from me, Dongwa," she said tersely.

"Why?"

"I've got fleas. Lots of fleas."

He lowered his eyes to her damp fur, finally observing the bites underneath. "Wow, that looks bad," he commented.

"Really? It feels terrific."

He tried not to let her sour disposition get to him. "Don't let yourself catch a cold, too. Get someplace dry."

Sagwa turned and studied the open land. There were trees, but the rain was falling through the blowing foliage.

"Or make someplace dry," Sagwa grumbled, and walked over to the biggest boulder she could see. Hovering underneath the roof of the pagoda, Dongwa watched her begin to dig a hole beneath the giant stone; tunneling fairly deep down and not very wide. Then, before the boulder could fall in, Sagwa stopped digging, scooting underneath the rock. He watched her tail disappear as she settled in.

Dongwa turned and retreated further into the pagoda. His parents and Hun-Hun still slept soundly, so he lay down and waited.


Baba was the next one to wake up, and he noticed right away Sagwa was not among them. He looked at Dongwa and motioned to the wall of the pagoda, where they united; away from those who slept. "Where's Sagwa?"

"She has fleas, so she's keeping her distance."

"But where?" Baba asked again. "It's miserable outside!"

Dongwa pointed. "Under that."

Baba trained his eyes on the boulder as he sat down on the pagoda floor. He didn't mind if she kept her distance, but he did not want her running off again. One missing daughter was enough. If he could at least prevent his dear Shao Fun from getting fleas, he would have gone and told Sagwa to get back inside...but the image of her scratching and suffering in silence made him stay put. Sagwa had been courteous enough to remove herself; if the fleas spread, the fault would be his.

"I still can't believe Sheegwa's missing," Dongwa announced, and looked at Baba. "Is that strange?"

"No, son. It's not."

If the situation hadn't been so grave, Dongwa would have been glad to hear it. He turned his eyes to the sleeping Hun-Hun, and wondered for the millionth time what she believed. Her relationship with him was a complex one...they cared deeply for each other, and she seemed to consider his sisters her own. Apart from the agreement to make it official, they were practically lifemates. But she wasn't as...talkative as he would prefer. Even walking side by side all day, he realized now, Hun-Hun was a blank scroll. Deciding to get her perspective on things the next time they were alone, Dongwa finally cast his eyes skyward. It was still raining steadily, but the bleak grayness was beginning to lighten.

"Looks like the storm is letting up," Baba said, and cringed as a particularly loud thunderclap awakened Mama and Hun-Hun before dissolving into a rolling growl.

"Yeah, but it doesn't sound like it," Dongwa grumped. Movement in his peripheral vision made him look at Sagwa's rock. She was emerging from her hiding place, her big blue eyes cast fearfully to the sky. Then, as she began to pace between the boulder and the pagoda, her expression twisted into a frown. In the muted light, they could see her tail drooping as she shook her head. Oblivious to their watching eyes, she plopped down and stamped a paw.

And it was as if she had angered the universe. Lightning struck the ground close to her, and they heard her shriek from the pagoda. Dongwa was on his feet in a flash, moving down the steps and into the rain.

"Sagwa?" Dongwa called.

"I'm fine," she shouted back. "For whatever it's worth," she added in a grumble, before turning to face him. She inadvertently withdrew. "I told you to stay away."

"And I told you to get someplace dry," he said mockingly. Looking into her severe face, he sighed. "Look, I just don't want you out here alone, okay?"

"I'm not alone!"

"You don't have to yell, I'm right here."

"Well, you shouldn't be. You'll get fleas."

"I don't care," he responded. "We're in this together, so we stay together."

Her face was still unapproachable, but she didn't object or move further away. She turned her eyes anxiously to the other cats. "Are we walking today?"

"Ah, the conversation didn't get that far." He watched her sit down and scratch with a hind leg. "I've been meaning to ask someone," he ventured. "Do you think Sheegwa knew about Egypt?"

Her leg dropped as her eyes shot to his. Then her face became dark and closed off again. "I'm not sure."

"We better ask them," Dongwa said, beginning to lead her to the pagoda.

Sagwa sighed as she stood up and followed him. "Got any idea where it is?"

"No." He ignored the feeling of something small and irritating in his fur. "But if she knew, all we have to do is find that road. And...what are flying friends for?"

"Favors, apparently," she grouched, and sighed. "I hate to ask him again."

"I know what you mean. But if he didn't want to help, he wouldn't be here."

Sagwa stopped at the bottom of the steps, watching her brother ascend into the pagoda. "Hey, Baba," he started uncertainly. "Do you think Sheegwa knew about Egypt?"

"No. No, when I came with the news, she was already gone."

Sagwa didn't know how she was relieved; she just knew that she was.

Fu-Fu suddenly swung down to hang off the edge of the ceiling, and flew down to land on the rail. "If you want, I can check Lord Vu's palace again. And yours."

"That would be most appreciated, Fu-Fu," Mama said.

"On my way." He saluted, but turning to depart he was stopped by Dongwa's question.

"Fu-Fu...how long have you been awake?"

"Uh, since I got you out of the cage," he admitted.

"That is not healthy," Sagwa said, coming up the steps. "After you look, I want you to go straight to your cave and take care of yourself."

"But what if I find her?"

"Bring her with you," Sagwa said, sounding rather cold.

"Alright, if you insist," he answered, obviously displeased to be receiving orders. He took wing and flew out into the rain.

"Did you two hit a rough patch?" Mama inquired.

"No, we're fine," Sagwa bit. Still speaking gruffly, she added, "Sorry I came up here."

"No, I had to tell you something important," Mama said calmly. "If you go for a swim, you'll be able to drown your pesky fleas."

Sagwa didn't have to think about it for long. "I'll be at the lake," she muttered.

"Yeah, I better go, too," Dongwa announced. And as he followed his sister, he looked behind him to see his parents and Hun-Hun parading after. At the head of the group, Sagwa scowled, furious with herself; overwhelmed by the relentless image of her sister; wet, dirty, hungry, alone...frightened. Cowering from danger. Trusting the first person she saw more than she would ever trust her sister again.


Sagwa splashed through the tide, wading into water up to her neck. Feeling an insatiable itch on the top of her head, she took a deep breath and submerged her head. Observing the shallows, her eyes widened when she noticed that not too far from where they bathed, the sandy bottom dropped completely away; and in its depths was a whole other world, vibrant with plants and fish. Her eyes burned with tears that mixed with the lake as she thought about the catfish in the pond back home.

Home...She didn't think she could ever stop calling it that. The outside was just too big.

Eventually needing air, she surfaced her head and blinked water from her eyes. She could no longer feel anything moving on her body, but she was still indescribably itchy. And she was sore...inside. Sagwa closed her eyes, needing to be still for awhile...needing to tune out.

The laughter made her cringe. Thoroughly irritated, she opened her eyes and watched Dongwa and Hun-Hun splashing each other.

Like he had no concerns. Like their family breaking apart didn't weigh on him. Like the image of Sheegwa shaking in fear and covered in dirt didn't even matter!

Dongwa ran towards her, but slid to a stop when he caught the expression on her face. Even with her head above water, it felt as though she needed air again. Suffocating in hot anger, she stood up. "What is the matter with you guys?" she demanded. "How can you have fun right now?"

"What, we're supposed to be miserable all the time like you?"

"You're supposed to be worried! You are not on vacation."

"If I was, you sure wouldn't be there to ruin it!"

She shook her head, feeling more furious with him than herself. "You know what, Dongwa? Why don't you make like a pesky insect and bite me?" she asked, splashing him in the face. She turned and waded to shore, leaving him to wallow in mud and resentment.

Until he waded after her. "What's your problem?"

"My problem? You act like you don't even care!" she said, turning back to him. They stood silently, looking at each other as the tide rushed over their paws. When the noise quieted, she spoke again. "You know what? I'll go off on my own and do the right thing. You guys just stay here and build sandcastles."

"Don't you judge me!" Hun-Hun stepped in. "I'm not even related and I've been here since day one!"

"Kittens, please," Mama tried to intervene.

"I'm not judging you, Hun-Hun; I could hear you. I think it's pretty clear."

"Leave her out of this, Sagwa; how dare you?" Dongwa snapped.

Sagwa turned her blazing eyes from Hun-Hun to him. "I told her I would take care of her, and she believed me. So I don't think I have to listen to you having the time of your lives. I have to fix my mistake."

"It's not your mistake," Baba cut in.

Now she turned on him. "I was leading the way."

"That human would have shut the window even if you hadn't been."

"But she never would have gone for the window if I hadn't told her to!" she pointed out. When he was quiet, she dropped her head. "I'm sorry for taking her away from you. I'm a bad big sister and a bad daughter."

Dongwa's scoff got her attention. "You haven't been a very good little sister, either."

Her head raised. Her eyes flashed.

Then she pounced, tackling him to the shore. They grunted, wrestling for the advantage as the other cats ran to break them up. Just as Dongwa pinned Sagwa to the shore, and heard her gasping for breath, the tide rolled back in; sweeping over her completely. As her claws sank desperately into his legs, Dongwa leaped off of her. She surfaced, sputtering and coughing out water.

"Are you okay? That was - "

It was only the look in her eyes that interrupted him. She pushed him forcefully away and splashed out of the shore.

It was still raining, so she didn't bother to shake her fur. She just ran, setting a pace she knew none of them could match.