When i first wrote this it was a homework assignment for Mythology. I kept going and going....and going as we all do. and I couldn't stop. so I thoguht you'd all like to read this. The first chapter is where our hero has to get ready to go on a quest, hence, "The great quest". She is no going to meet her escort. and future...well u get the picture. again i must remind my readers of previous stories that this is entirely seperate version where some of the characters are the same. Different name, defiantly different story but some how same bad guy but different name. (did anyone follow that cause I just lost myself)

Chapter Six

Everything hurt. Not just her head but her arms, legs, back, stomach, face, even her fingers and toes hurt. Her whole body ached with a dull pain. For a while everything felt far away and fuzzy. There was a horrid ringing in her ears as well that she couldn't shake off. She wondered for a brief second as to why she like this. Something was wrong. Cracking open one eye she saw a candle flickering gently against a dirt creme wall. To add to her discomfort she was also extremely hot. Her face was covered in sweat. To her dislike and horror when she licked her lips she tasted blood. She was bleeding. The one question was from where and how long. She tried to open the other eye but it stung as blood seeped past her eyelid. Her head was bleeding. She felt the horrid liquid had dried somewhat on her face and realized that she couldn't move her arms to wipe it away. Wiping the blood onto her shoulder, she cleared as much of it as she could and opened her eye without problem. As she shook her head of the fuzzy feeling, more furniture fell into focus. A small cot was against the was to her right, while on the opposite side was a table. Not much else inhabited the small tent except for the chair she was currently tied to.

Immediately after she closed her eyes again, she snapped them back open. Nuku?! What had happened?! Where was he?! How had they caught him...or did they...she couldn't bare to think of the latter right now. She had to have hope. Kiji found that her arms were tied to the back of the chair, but her feet were free from bonds. Getting her feet steady she tried to lift the chair off the ground. Like a turtle balancing its shell on its back, she scooted toward the opening. Apparently she hadn't thought this through very well, for when for was inches away from cloth there was a jangle and a crash. The chair was attached to cot and Kiji was now face first in the dirt the chair on top of her. A man rushed into the tent and attempted to pull the chair up. Before he let go of the chair to walk away, Kiji kicked upward mercilessly. The man shrieked, doubled over, and sank. Another man came into the room. This time however she didn't deal to him the same treatment, She froze. Even before ever seeing the man, she knew he was meant to be avoided. "Hunter" stared at her with an angry glare, his black eyes seeming to burn right through her skull.

"What's wrong in here?" he asked quietly, his teeth and fists clenched.

Neither the man groaning on the floor nor the girl said a thing. Each seemed to recognize that this was a rhetorical question.

Hunter turned to her and smiled darkly, "Glad to see you're awake."

Kiji silently glared at him hotly, radiating as much hate as she could into the room.

He chuckled at her then barked at the man she'd injured, to leave. Turning back to Kiji he asked, "What's your name?"

Kiji narrowed her eyes at him, refusing to speak. The man raised any eyebrow, "You don't like me?" he feigned surprise. Moving her tongue around her mouth, she then spat at him smack dab in the face.

Hunter chuckled wiping his face, but then glared at her and stood. Striking her across the face, he growled, "You'd better start talking. Why are you here?" he asked.

Kiji took several deep breaths to calm herself and spoke, "I got lost." she lied.

He saw right through it and slapped her other cheek, "Didn't you mathee teach you not to lie?" he sneered.

"I was told to leave my home." she said, "They don't want me anymore." she looked down and sad.

Hunter scrutinized her and them smacked her head, "You're a lying little shatani." he spat.

"At least I'm not a murderer." she retorted her voice thick with hate.

Hunter narrowed his eyes lifting an eyebrow, "A murderer, eh? Killing animals isn't murderer."

"It depends on whether or not you can hear them," she hissed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked sitting back against the table.

Kiji stayed silent. She got up the courage and asked, "Where is he?"

Raising his brow again he asked, "Who?"

"The simba," she said irritatedly her voice trying not to crack.

He grinned darkly one more and hissed, "You're right. I am a murderer." As he was leaving he said over his shoulder, "Hope you said something nice to it." He let a laugh hang in the air as he left.

* * *

Sumi hadn't exactly woken up to tied to a chair but her experience was just as frightening. She had left her friends for a very short time and heard the band and roar. She saw the men pick up Kiji and carry her away. Sumi then ran to where Nuku had fallen. His leg was bent awkwardly and an arrow was sticking out of his side. She tried to rouse him through tears and cries but he wouldn't move. Suddenly she was hit by a branch and flung against a tree. She watched helplessly as they pull the arrow out and the lion away. She gathered herself and hurried after them as both of her unconscious friends were taken to the camp. She wanted to go get help, but who could she go to? Sitting up in the tree she let a few tears dampen her fur.

Just then she heard more barking. A long howl broke into the air. Sumi brightened. There was only one pack in these woods. Kinih! Screeching loudly, she finally got their attention. One of the dogs looked up and recognized her old friend, "Sumi! What are screaming about?" the Alpha female Hallalea asked.

"It's Nuku! Kiara's cub. He's been...captured." she said hoping against hope that he was still alive.

Kinih's growl began to grow, "Is he injured?"

"Yes," Sumi said fearfully, "We've got to get help."

"Is Nuku's dada still at Home?" the Alpha female asked.

"Zuri? Yes. But we'll need more than just one dada."

"Vitani will help her nephew," Hallalea said, "I just know it. You see if you can get Nuku out and we'll head to the Homelands." Kinih nodded in agreement.

The dogs wished her luck and encouragement and raced off. Sumi gathered her courage and hurried toward the camp.

yeah! they're going for help. but will they make it in time to save them? dun dun dun!!!!!