Since that talk things seemed to be getting better between Kitwana and Makuu. The initial ice age between them had melted down considerably, and now they chatted rather amiably, though Makuu didn't have much to talk about regarding the time in captivity, and instead told Kitwana how things had actually turned very boring without him.
Kitwana spoke about his time with the humans, and all the things he learned from Jiji the 'pet'. The other animals approached to hear him out, curious to learn as much as they could from the 'two-legs'.
"What kind of animal would want to live with them?" Nurisha inquired a bit disdainfully, twitching her tail.
"That's the same thing I asked Jiji, and he didn't take it very kindly." Kitwana explained. "He really cared about that female human he lived with."
Julisha left her head from her grazing. "What about us? Does this mean humans want us as pets?"
"Not necessarily. Apparently, humans classify animals in two groups: domestic and wild. The domestic animals are those who are already accustomed and willingly serve to humans in exchange for food and care on their part. Animals like us classify as wild, thus not fit for being a pet. But there are other uses for wild animals, one of them being the zoos."
"Again with those zoo things, what does it even mean?" Jafari asked impatiently, snorting and stomping one hoof.
"Jiji made it sound like a sort of combination between a habitat and a prison. Wild animals are put in 'habitats' by species, and just... hang in there while humans come to stare at them."
"What do they win with that, just staring at wild animals? Don't they have better things to do?"
Kitwana shrugged. "I can't really say, I don't know much about humans other than what Jiji told me."
Makuu noticed there was one member of their party missing. "Where's Kiburi?" he asked, looking around the spring.
"Over the past days he's been keeping to himself a lot," Usian answered, licking his long claws for any leftover ants from his meal, and glanced at Kitwana. "I don't know what you said to him, kiddo, but I think it got him thinking."
"Kiburi? Thinking? I find it hard to believe." Makuu retorted, laying his head back on the ground.
"I hope I didn't hurt his feelings." Kitwana whispered, lowering his neck and looking down worriedly.
"If we're talking about the same Kiburi, you didn't. Still, I think I'll keep an eye on him, did any of you see where he went?"
Kalere pointed towards the direction of the waterfall with his wing. "That way."
Thanking the bird, Makuu set out in the direction of the waterfall, walking through the trees and the foliage. A few moments later, he emerged into the edge of the lake with the waterfall; like Kalere said, he found Kiburi on the edge of the water, looking at the waterfall forlornly.
"Kiburi." Makuu announced his presence.
"What?" Kiburi asked dryly, not bothering to even look at him.
"That's it? No sarcastic comment or prepotent insult?"
"Why bother? Nothing I say will actually affect you, so there's no point in it."
"Is it me, or you just admitted something? Usian wasn't joking, you really are weird." Makuu momentarily diverted his gaze, trying to figure what to say. He wasn't used to talking in such a... civilized manner with Kiburi. "Kitwana talked to you?"
"You mean your adoptive son? Yes."
"What did you talk about? He mentioned something he told you made him understand me a bit better."
"Why do you want to know?"
"I want to be sure you didn't tell him bad things about me."
"If I had, he wouldn't want to be an inch close to you, and from what I heard you two have been getting along wonderfully," Kiburi retorted dryly, though there was no spite in his voice anymore. He gave a loud yawn. "I just told him not to judge you without knowing your reasons for being a jerk."
There it was, Kiburi's insult of the day. "And what did he tell you?" Makuu inquired curiously, laying down.
"You're not going to leave me alone if I don't answer, will you?"
Unsurprisingly, Makuu smirked. "Don't count on it."
Kiburi grunted, annoyed, but answered the question. "Let's say he also gave me a lot to think about regarding Akina."
The smirk was gone in less than a second. "What does she have to do with this?"
"He pointed out that most of my actions against you were selfish. I wanted to hurt you, get you out of the way, but I never considered how Akina would feel about it. It pains me to say it, admit it, but she loves you; what she feels for you is stronger than what she once felt for me." There was a genuine sadness in Kiburi's voice. "But I was so desperate over her rejection I couldn't bear to see you of all people with her, I couldn't understand what she saw in you after you acted like a jerk.
My world always spiraled around her, you know; I loved her since we were hatchlings. Even though I lost against you, I had hoped I could win her back... after you beat me in the Upenduwa, I trained day after day, I wanted to get stronger to eventually re-challenge you for the right to mate with Akina.
But then she fell in love with you. Despite everything I did for her, despite knowing me for far longer than you, she chose you. I felt betrayed, it was as if she didn't appreciate all I was willing to do for her, and the worst thing of all was you got away with being her mate in the end. I wanted to make you pay for robbing me of Akina's love, but deep down I think I also wanted to get back at her for..." Kiburi closed his eyes shut at the idea of wanting to hurt his beloved, even if he wasn't aware of it.
"I guess I can't completely put the blame of you," Makuu sighed, laying his head down. "I never took you into consideration, you're not the only one who was selfish. And you were right, back then I only wanted Akina as a trophy, not as a mate. Pua had to knock sense unto me."
"I hope it was literal."
Makuu chuckled. "Nah, Pua was never too violent if it wasn't necessary."
"There's something I don't understand, Makuu." Kiburi stated, glancing at his rival. "Why did you take the bullet for me? You could have just let that human shoot me, and you would have gotten rid of me, you had no obligation to save me but you did anyway. Why?"
Makuu pondered the question for a moment. He was unsure himself, he had no reason to take that bullet in Kiburi's place, but he did anyway. "I don't really know myself, but..." he sighed regretfully. "Ever since I learned what happened to your float..."
"I told you before, and I repeat it, Makuu. I don't want your pity."
"It's not pity, Kiburi, I just understood how you felt in a way. I lost someone dear to me too because I was powerless to save them. We might have had our differences, but I would never wish that kind of fate even on you."
"You do realize you might just have led me further into that fate, don't you?" Kiburi pointed out bitterly, looking towards the waterfall. "We're free, yes, and we're alive, you and the others will go back to the Pride Lands, but what about me? I'm banished, I cannot follow you even if I wanted to."
"I told you, I will talk to King Simba-"
"Even if you do, there's no way you can guarantee me he will accept. I might as well go all the way there only to be cast out again, and I'm not willing to go through that once more. I still have dignity. And given that my float is gone, I have no reason to go back to the Outlands either, I would only last a month if I'm fortunate."
"What are you saying, Kiburi?"
"You were always very smart, Makuu," Kiburi said sadly as he walked into the water. "You should have figured it out by now."
Makuu just stared at him as he went into the spring, his words sinking unto him. Realizing Kiburi was probably done talking for the time being, so he turned around and returned from the way he came, glancing back at Kiburi concerned. By the time he got back to the 'meeting spot', only Kitwana and Oga remained. The latter was playing in the small spring, spraying water around happily.
Kitwana noticed his adoptive father going over to some plants to lie down, but overall noted the worried and thoughtful expression on his face. "Makuu? Are you okay?"
"Couldn't be better." Makuu half-lied, though he knew he couldn't fool Kitwana anymore.
"What happened with Mr. Kiburi?"
At the mention of his former nemesis, Makuu sighed sadly. "He will not go back to the Pride Lands with us. He's staying here."
"What? Why?"
"He says I can't guarantee he'll be allowed to return, and he has no chance to survive in the Outlands on his own. I'm afraid he is right."
"But he'll be alone here too!"
"Perhaps, but there's abundant water and fish in this place for him to get by."
"Is there no way to convince him to come with us...?"
"Kitwana, you should know by now that when crocodiles make up their minds, it's very hard to make them change it."
"But you will still try to convince King Simba, right?"
Makuu shrugged. "It's worth a shot. I do owe it to Kiburi for carrying me all the way here on his back. Besides, given what happened between us, perhaps it is time to truly put the past behind me."
"Hey, Makuu, speaking of which, I think you mentioned mister Kiburi's float was gone. What happened to them?"
"The humans happened, that's what." Makuu said sadly. "Not even Kiburi knows exactly what the poachers did to them, or he does and didn't want to elaborate." He glanced at Kitwana. "Did your 'pet' friend mention anything about what they did to crocodiles?"
"Jiji said that if crocs are not sold to zoos or people who want an exotic pets, crocodiles are usually skinned to make shoes and accessories."
"Shoes?"
"The things they wear on their feet." Kitwana explained, lifting one of his legs and twitching his talons to emphasize.
Makuu hated humans since the moment they chained him to a wall and treated him like a 'dog' (as Kitwana put it a while ago), but now the hatred rose to new levels after hearing of what fate awaited any captured crocodiles. Being put in a cage or in chains was humiliating enough, but having their skins ripped off so humans could adorn their feet?
If he ever came across any of those poachers again, he'd have no mercy.
Though the place was a paradise, a few days later the animals had recovered enough strength to return to the Pride Lands. Thankfully, they could find their way back there from the oasis, given that Timon and Pumbaa had shared its location with the Pride Landers.
Before leaving, Makuu went to see Kiburi one last time. He found him feeding on some fish in the same spring from before. His scales had recovered a bit of their lost shine, and he looked more hydrated, though it would be a while before he fully recovered.
"Are you sure you're staying here?" Makuu inquired again.
"It's better than the Outlands," Kiburi muttered. "At least I've got plenty to eat, shade and water."
"I gave you my word that I'd talk to Simba about you, and I will."
"I know. It's one of the good traits I knew you had, even back then. You take promises very seriously."
Reluctantly, Makuu turned around, but as he started to walk away, he heard Kiburi call out for him. Surprised, he glanced back at him.
"I have a favor to ask, just in case you don't convince Simba," Kiburi whispered. There was an expression of regret and sadness in his face. "When you see Akina, will you tell her...?" he found himself unable to finish the sentence.
"...I will." Makuu said, nodding solemnly. "Goodbye, Kiburi."
With that, the crocodile walked away back to the rest of the group, who had been waiting for him at the edge that divided the lush terrain with the barren ground. A few moments later, they departed. It was still early morning, so the heat wouldn't be a bother until a few hours later. When the other animals inquired about Kiburi, Makuu didn't reply.
"He's not coming." Kitwana had to explain.
Even though surprised at the decision, they accepted it.
Kalere acted as a sort of scout as they advanced, making sure there were no poachers around, or that they were going into the right direction. Every now and then, she'd ask for directions to a little critter like a scorpion or a desert snake.
A few hours later, they entered the Outlands.
It was easier to navigate through here for Makuu, since he had already been here, both to leave and return to the Pride Lands, so he took it from there. All the while, he subtly never got Kitwana off his sight; the chick seemed happier and livelier than ever.
Much to their surprise, the sunlight was shortly blocked by gray storm clouds, and they heard a few thunders roaring in the distance.
"What a way to welcome us." Jafari said sarcastically, snorting in dismay.
"It's the wet season, what did you expect?" Julisha replied simply. "I'm just glad we're finally going home."
"Hey, Julisha, if I ever get hungry and..." Umoja said timidly, gulping when Julisha gave him a mild glare. "Well, don't take it personal."
Though irked by the comment, Julisha merely turned her head forward. "I wouldn't blame you. It's the Circle of Life, after all."
"You'd really eat her?" Kitwana asked in shock.
"I'd try not to target her specifically, but I'm a cheetah, and I have to hunt to eat. And Zebras all look alike, if you ask me."
"Look who talks, spotty." Nurisha slithered her tongue.
"Cheetahs don't gather in herds!"
Makuu groaned internally. He just couldn't wait to go back to his float and stop hearing those senseless argues, overall he wanted to see how they had fared without him, if they had named a proper substitute.
PAM!
The animals jumped in fright at the familiar sound of the gun, but the bullet struck the ground a few centimeters away from Julisha's hooves. The zebra gave a frightened cry as se reared up, panicking.
"Where did it come from?!" Usian cried in horror, looking around.
"Who cares?! We have to hide!" Jafari retorted loudly.
The animals sped up into the canyon just as another bullet struck the spot Kitwana had been standing on a few seconds ago; seeing this, and knowing Kitwana wouldn't be able to keep up on foot, Makuu quickly scooped him into his throat pouch (despite the fledgling's protests) and ran into the rocky formations, narrowly avoiding being shot a second time.
Thankfully, the poacher lost sight the group enough for them to run into a small cave. They would be safe for a while. Makuu let Kitwana out of his throat pouch, and spat a few feathers.
"I had forgotten how wet it is in there." Kitwana muttered, trying to wipe the remaining saliva from his feathers.
"Sorry for that, kiddo, but you wouldn't have kept up by foot." Makuu stated matter-of-factly, though there was an apologetic air to his words.
"What do we do now?!" Nurisha cried out. "We don't know where that human is, while he can easily kill us with that gun!"
"Ono would be pretty useful now..." Makuu muttered,
"Kalere, think you could take a quick look and see if you can spot him?" Kitwana asked the drongo. "You're so small I doubt he'll be able to shoot quick enough to actually hurt you."
Despite her fear, Kalere gathered whatever courage she had, and flew out of the cave. While she made sure not to fly too high, she did go high enough to have a good look around the area. The wind became colder and blew with more force as time went on, and the thunders became more frequent. It would soon start to rain.
She spotted a two-legged figure running through the upper cliffs, looking for his intended victims. She noted he was completely alone, however, there were no other poachers around, at the very least.
A few meters down the canyon, she noticed there was a sort of rock formation that led into the upper cliffs, and from there it directly led to the Pride Lands. If they hurried, they'd manage to escape and return, but it was risky. They would be easier to spot in the canyon, not to mention completely exposed.
Kalere quickly flew back down to the cave, panting heavily. "Everyone, there's a rock path up ahead that leads up the canyon, and it leads to the Pride Lands!"
Usian could tell there was something else. "But..."
"The poacher is in the top of the canyon, we'll be an easy target for him when he comes to the edge."
"We could hurry up." Julisha suggested.
"Even if we do escape from him, he'll just follow us back into the Pride Lands, and he'll hurt someone else." Umoja pointed out in dismay.
"What do you suggest, then?" Jafari snorted.
"One of us must try to distract him long enough for the others to escape," Makuu said in a grave voice. "Otherwise, he'll just keep coming after us."
"Ha, I'd like to see who is nuts enough to face against that creature, considering that weapon can kill a male elephant!"
"I will."
The rest of the animals turned to Makuu in shock. "What?" Kitwana asked, freezing in place.
"That animal has shed the blood of crocodiles dishonorably, and from what you said, he probably didn't even give their remains a proper rite. I cannot let that slip." Makuu said in a serious voice; Kitwana could sense his anger, however.
"But you could be killed!" he argued back.
Makuu would have given his charge a smirk if the mood wasn't so serious. "You should know me better, kiddo. It's not easy to get rid of me."
"Then let me help you-!"
"No. You are too small and would stand no actual chance against him. I need you to take everyone else back to the Pride Lands."
"I'm not leaving you!"
"I'm not asking you, boy. It's an order." He turned to the rest of the animals. "When I get his attention, get out of here and go to the Pride Lands."
"What about you?" Kitwana asked again, this time almost close to tears. He couldn't be leaving him again.
Makuu turned his head forward with mixture of determination and viciousness. "I'll catch up when I'm done with that beast."
With that, Makuu turned around and headed towards the entrance of the cave. Kitwana tried to go after him, but Nurisha stopped him by coiling around him in a firm hold.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Umoja whispered with a reassuring grin, approaching. "That crocodile is as stubborn as a honey badger. I'm sure he'll make it out of this, and catch up."
Kitwana just stared at the entrance of the cave.