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 8

He couldn't remember how long he had been asleep but he was pretty sure he missed a least a day. The last thing he remembered was pain, first to his back then to his hind leg. He was having the worst time trying to breathe. It hurt every time he inhaled.

Opening his eyes he looked around the small room. Why did his leg feel so heavy? Looking back at it he saw a white wrapping around two branches that sandwiched his leg together. This started to confuse him: why would they shoot him after chasing him down and turn around and help him? What was going on? He felt too weak to move. But his anger strengthened his mind. More wood was tossed onto these flames as his thoughts turned to Kiji. Did she get away? Did they hurt her? Was she okay? The tent was dark so it must have been at least a day like he had thought. If Kiji had gotten away she'd come after him. She would no matter how many obstacles, he knew she would come. But she barely knows you, a little voice sneered in the back of his mind, You just met her. How could she ever care about you?

These doubts were silenced when a strange scent announced the arrival of a stranger. He was not the cloud man, but was equally alarming. Perhaps this was the "Hunter" Sumi had seen. Tensing up ready to spring to the farthest spot in the cage he watched the man. He wore the traditional look that Kiji wore, minus the funky head wrap. He was frowning at Nuku scrutinizing and seeming to interrogate the simba with his mind. Nuku kept his stare, his ears flat against his skull. He still wouldn't be able to bolt like he could before, especially not with this splint on his leg, so he prayed he wouldn't have to. Hunter got down on his knees staring at the simba with a narrow gaze, "How could she? How did she?" he muttered to himself.

"You'd better let me out of here you son of a jackal," Nuku growled angrily.

Hunter wasn't even phased by the loud growl that rumbled from the simba. "I need to know how she does it," he said more louder than before but keeping his voice from a shout, "I wonder, can you understand me?"

Nuku seemed to know that he shouldn't even give an indication that he could, so he yawned widely and looked away. Hunter frowned, but then smiled darkly, "If you don't answer I will kill her."

Nuku's head snapped back over to him and growled once more.

"That's what I want to hear," he said, "How can she do it?" he asked.

Nuku narrowed his eyes and bore his fangs, "You can't understand me so why should I even try?"

Just then a roar burst into their ears. Nuku perked up, "Vitani?" It was! And then barking and bellows followed the roars of his angry dadas. Hunter went outside and found lionesses attacking men as they prepare to fire their weapons. An elephant had the ammunition tent and flattened it in no time. Nuku stood and tried to squeeze through the bars. Not being able to roar to his dadas to come and get him was getting really annoying. To his relief and surprise Zuri came rushing into the tent with Sumi right behind her.

Sumi had jumped at Hunter during the chaos and grabbed the key. Once Nuku was out Zuri told his to hide. He refused but she insisted saying he needed to rest his leg. Sumi suggested that as soon as they found Kiji he could join the ruckus. So like any pig headed male, he went out to find her himself. He searched through the fighting for her scent. Once he got it it led him to a crushed heap of wood and palm leaves.

Digging frantically he found her and pulled her to the jungle. "Kiji!" he gasped, "Kijanjwie wake up!" he pleaded.

She was bruised and pale, but at least she was breathing. He called he name several times before she groaned and opened her eyes. Sumi and Zuri had seen Nuku pull Kiji to the forest and followed. Once the shackles were unlocked Nuku helped Kiji to her feet. She was horrified by his wounds and quickly healed them. Feeling much better he announced, "Let's go crush that cockroach." he said angrily.

"No," Kiji said picking up her knife that Sumi had recovered for her, "I have to do it."

"Not alone you don't" he said, "I'll be the referee."

Kiji nodded and ran back to the camp. Most of the men were either dead or injured. Some of the animals were injured but most had left after their victory had finding their prince safe. When the dust began to clear, Hunter was informed that the white man had left fearfully saying that he'd have to start his slave trade somewhere else. Angered and spitting like a demon, he grabbed up his knife and gun. He soon saw the targets of his anger. He found the two friends standing across from his staring at him with so much hate it seemed to set the scene ablaze.

"You can choose," Kiji shouted at him, "Fight or leave."

Hunter growled and cocked his gun in answer. The simba used the dust cloud to his advantage and disappeared. Nuku silently advanced and jumped at the fun. Wrenching it from the man's grasp Nuku crushed it, leveling the battlefield. Kiji ran at the man her knife ready. Hunter saw her coming, ducked and caught her leg causing her to trip. She rolled and shot back to her feet. Kiji kicked at his leg as he ran at her. As he fell she kicked his face. His knife went flying and he scrambled to find it. Putting the knife to the back of his neck, Hunter froze. She hissed into his ear, "Still want to know my name?" she asked. With regret in her heart she plunged the knife down straight through the back of his neck. He fell limp instantly and didn't move again. Kiji dropped the knife and fell sick to her stomach. Nuku went to her side, nuzzling her gently. Gathering her dwindling strength as the adrenaline left her, she walked away from the mission she had finally accomplished.

hope that wasn't too bad. please review!!