(A/N: I try a lot of different things during this chapter. I'll need reviews at the end to know which parts you like or don't like. I've got Chapter 9 ready to post on Sunday or Monday but then after that I'm going to be working on "A History Project" and "Rated 'M' for Nala" for a little while before returning to this, so don't think I won't have time to consider what you put in your reviews. Thank you.)
Pumbaa walked over to find his meerkat friend lying down on his back, asleep just next to the waterhole.
"Eh . . . Timon . . ." said Pumbaa, tapping him on the shoulder.
Timon drearily opened his eyes.
"Hi Pumbaa . . ." he said, very slowly and slurry.
"Were you just eating rainberries?" Pumbaa asked.
"I only had one!" protested Timon, as he thrust his hand up into the air with one finger outstretched, which then made him lose balance and turn over.
"Timon, I think it's best if I do this delivery on my own."
Timon tried to say something, but it all came out as muffled mumbles as he was essentially speaking into the ground.
Pumbaa looked over at the completely filled tortoise shell. He walked right up to it; rattling his brains to try and figure out how to get it on and balance it on his back without Timon's assistance.
He picked the side up with his teeth, lowered it to the ground, and then attempted to fling it over his head, which would in turn cause it to do a complete, full, somersault before landing on his back.
Didn't work.
Instead, the tortoise shell stalled in mid-air, upside-down, and all of the rainberries tipped out and splattered onto his head.
Pumbaa found it quite uncomfortable trying to think of a plan B while he had a tortoise shell on top of his head and rainberry juice running down his face, though it did taste quite nice when they rolled into his mouth.
Obviously, he was going to need to find another way.
"That's my pride, over there." King Maneno signaled towards a group of lions sitting halfway down the front stretch.
"Oh, how lovely," replied Juni.
The lion and the lioness were just beginning to make their way down the front stretch.
"They're not sitting too far from my pride, actually," she replied. "Rakusa's our king."
"I remember Rakusa," replied Maneno, "I got to talk to him a lot, just like this, in the Siku Choka a couple of years ago."
"Yeah, I tried to get him to do it again last year, but he was too tied up in other things. At least I got him to do it this year though, huh?"
"Hmm," Maneno replied. "So, hope you don't mind me asking. You're the second most experienced competitor here, why are you not sleeping?"
"I try to get a lot of sleep before the event," replied Juni. "It's also good to try and get ahead. Look, we're coming to complete our third lap now."
"How far do you plan on going?"
"I'll just walk until they put out a third piece of prey. Then I'll hunt, and as soon as I get one: bang, I'll go to sleep."
Maneno looked at her. "I don't think 'bang' was the best word choice there."
"Oh well. You get the idea."
Just then, an antelope rushed by right on the outside of them. Juni, who had been standing on the outside of Maneno, felt it brush her pelt, but Maneno was the one who it had taken by surprise the most.
A second later, and Wamariri ran by the outside of Juni, also causing a patch of her fur to blow over.
The fans along the front stretch had got to their feet, just to see what would happen. The pair crossed the line with Wamariri gaining, gaining, gaining, but then out of Wamariri's peripheral vision, she saw something that made the whole crowd erupt.
"Oh!" exclaimed Simba.
Nala jumped up and clapped.
Wamariri jumped over to the left to avoid the clash.
Guvu, who had been sleeping for the past few minutes, had had the appearance of still being asleep. However, he had in fact, set up his own ambush. When he had felt that the antelope had been just the right distance from him, he had leapt up from his spot and sprung over to take the antelope down. Wamariri had been forced to take evasive action to avoid the two as Guvu clamped his jaw down on the antelope's neck, but she decided to continue on running. Not too far in front of her: was the zebra.
The zebra hadn't had enough time to realize that Wamariri was closing in from behind him, and so he was easy prey for the lioness.
Wamariri jumped up onto the zebra's back, with all the intention of bringing him down, and no intention of letting him live.
The crowd gasped as the zebra picked up its pace and began to stumble towards the outside of the track. In fact, the two were heading right in the direction of the sleeping Zoea.
The zebra didn't want anything to do with two lionesses, and so he tried to stop before he ran into her, but then that made Wamariri lean ever farther forward on top of the zebra, which caused him to collapse down on top of the sleeping lioness below.
With a whole lioness on top of the zebra as well, the crash crushed Zoea's body.
Wamariri found herself now sitting on top of two, dead, animals.
Pumbaa's knees were digging into his underbelly as he crouched down, trying to keep his back underwater.
He was becoming very disoriented as he tried to remember all the stuff he should and should not do; while trying to hold his breath. He could see the dark shadow from where the upside-down tortoise shell was bobbing on the surface. He tried to wade his way towards it, and then finally, when he checked over his shoulder and saw that his back was lined up right underneath the tortoise shell, he stood up.
"Well done Pumbaa," came a voice from behind him as Pumbaa spat out the water that he had just inhaled.
Pumbaa looked up to see Timon now riding on his back, holding the tortoise shell in his hands like nothing had ever happened.
Pumbaa felt the slimy water run down them and became a little angry.
He bucked Timon off of his back, sideways, and with Timon went the tortoise shell. The rainberries fell back into the water.
Timon resurfaced and spat out the water that had ended up in his mouth, now.
"Okay Pumbaa, I got the message," he said, giving Pumbaa the thumbs up while he tried to wipe the slimy water off of him. "Hey," he said, looking up, "what's Zazu doing flying up there?"
Pumbaa walked over to the tree just next to the waterhole, picked up a stick, and held it up.
Zazu flew down.
"How many points does . . .?"
"Two," answered Zazu as he landed. He had a solemn expression on his face, of which anyone but Timon or Pumbaa would have instantly been able to tell.
"Who's . . .?"
"Wamariri."
"Wow, you're . . . !"
"Thank you." Zazu sighed and rested his wings on the back of Timon and Pumbaa's backs. "Guys, do yourselves a favor and enter the track from the hills along the backstretch."
"Why?" asked Pumbaa; finally realizing that something was wrong.
Zazu took a deep breath before saying: "Zoea has died."
"Oh," said Pumbaa, "isn't she one of the . . ."
Timon elbowed him which made Pumbaa shut up.
"I'm going to the Mimto Pride," continued Zazu, "I have to inform Zoea's father of her death."
"What about her mother?" asked Pumbaa. Timon elbowed him, but Pumbaa had already asked it.
"Her mother was killed in the Siku Choka, four years ago," replied Zazu. "That's why her father didn't come to watch, he doesn't like being reminded of it," he sighed once more, and then brought his wings back, preparing to take off. "Wish me luck," he said, before he flew off.
"Hey Nala," addressed Simba as the couple made their way back to their seats. They had just been to see Bwana Zungumza, Kanafa, Rafiki, and the others who had negotiated and took action on what to do about Zoea and her family.
"Yes Simba," replied Nala, looking down at the ground as they walked.
"I just thought of something. Should the competitors really be falling asleep in the turns? Wouldn't it be safer if they fell asleep on the straights?"
Nala shook her head slowly, 'no.' "In the turns, the prey usually stays to the inside so it's usually safe for the competitors to fall asleep on the outside. On the straights: who knows where the prey could go? However, seldom does an incident like that anyways, so no one really ever thinks about it. The only stupid thing to do would be to sleep on the inside of the turns. No one could have ever seen Zoea's incident happening. I don't think she could move that far after her first accident anyways."
Simba nodded. The two continued on in silence.
Since they'd left the track: Guvu and Tumaini had both brought down a zebra, Wamariri and Tumaini had fallen asleep, and Tumaini, Maneno, Juni, Nakshi and Ema had all completed another lap. Guvu had also lied his head down, although nobody knew for sure if he was asleep or not.
More time soon passed. Simba and Nala had returned to their seats, and everyone on the track awake: was just walking. Nala lied her head down. The audience members needed their rest too, and now was the best time. The rush at the start had passed, but soon it would be night, and then things would really pick up.
Meanwhile, on the track, Anzi and Lenny had broken up and gone off in two separate directions. Anzi was standing over the spot where Zoea had last been. She knew she couldn't fret over this. Supposedly, many lions died in the Siku Choka. She could even wind up being one of them. For that particular reason, she didn't want to stay in that spot for too long.
That aside, truth was that Anzi had actually been standing in that same spot for quite a while. She turned her head around as she heard another competitor walking up to her from behind her.
"Hi," said Anzi, "I was just paying my respects to Zoea. What's your name? Mine's . . ."
The lioness held her paw out, which stopped Anzi from talking.
"I don't want to know," said the lioness, gently. "Is this your first time in the Siku Choka?" she asked.
"Yes," Anzi replied.
"Have you ever been to see one of these before?"
"I saw the one last year."
"And what inspired you to be in it this year?" she asked, tilting her head.
Anzi tried to think back. "Well the finish was really exciting, I remember that. I dunno. I just remember telling myself after the event again and again that I really wanted to do this. I love hunting."
"It does get better as it goes along," admitted the lioness, referring to the Siku Choka.
The lioness looked up the hill and saw a couple of her pride members. They were snoozing. At least they wouldn't call out her name in front of this other lioness, she thought.
"You're upset about your friend?" she asked, looking back down at Anzi. Anzi looked down at the ground. She didn't reply. The lioness sighed. "Come on, walk with me."
Anzi did as she was told, and the two made their way back down to the inside.
"I know what you're going to tell me," said Anzi.
"What would that be?"
"That death is a part of this sport, and that I should get over it."
"No one gets over it," the lioness replied.
"Has there ever been a Siku Choka where no one has died?" asked Anzi.
"I believe there was one once, but there were only about six competitors that entered. It was one of the earlier years."
"Do you think there's a chance Zoea might be the only one who dies?"
The lioness shook her head 'no.' Anzi had glanced up in time to see this. "I'm afraid not," the lioness said.
Anzi sighed. "I don't know how I'm going to be able to cope with all this. I've already made friends with Lenny, Sarafina, and you. Imagine if one of you gets killed, I don't know how I'd cope with myself knowing that the only thing I should do is move on."
"You need to sleep," said the lioness. "Come on; let's make our way back over here." The two walked back over to the outside of the track. They were just approaching the backstretch.
"I can't sleep that well in the day," replied Anzi.
"Don't worry. I'll help." The lioness wasn't looking at Anzi any more, just their destination. At this rate, this mournful lioness was going to make friends with every competitor on the track. This saddened the other lioness. She could read this character like a book; she knew that she would never be able to last.
"Lie down," said the lioness. Anzi did as she said. The other lioness sighed. "You know what? Let's forget about that not-telling-name stuff, my name is Ema."
"I'm Anzi."
"Okay Anzi," said Ema, "just lie down for now. I want to talk about something positive, that will get your mind off your friend."
"Okay," replied Anzi, resting her head on the ground and closing her eyes.
"Well . . ." began Ema ". . . do you have a boyfriend?"
"I have a crush."
"Oh really? What's his name?"
Anzi blushed. "Do I have to?"
"Go on. I won't tell."
"Herik."
"Herik? That's strange. I think I may have met him once before."
Anzi lifted her head up. She didn't believe her. "When? How?"
"I'm a psychologist. A lot of animals come to see me." This was true. However, Ema had never actually met Herik.
"Oh," replied Anzi, "I didn't know Herik had any issues."
"He mentioned you."
"Really? What did he say?"
Ema smiled. "What do you think he said?"
"Ema!" exclaimed Anzi, anxious. "Come on; tell me!"
"He said he liked you," said Ema, smiling.
"Really?" asked Anzi, delighted.
"Mm hmm."
Anzi frowned. "Wait . . . how do I know you're just not pulling my leg?"
Ema chuckled. "Come on Anzi, lay your head back down." Anzi did so. She was suspicious, but still smiling nonetheless. "Right, here's how we get you to sleep Anzi. Count down in your head from 300, three at a time. Go on . . . 300 . . . 297 . . . 294. Keep going, if you get lost, don't worry. Just keep going. Can you hear my voice Anzi? Uh . . . don't nod. Just listen to the sound of my voice. Keep on counting, keep on counting, just listen to the sound of my voice, keep on counting . . ." Slowly but surely, Ema was hypnotizing Anzi. ". . . you're growing sleepy Anzi, keep on counting, that's right, just listen to the sound of my voice, keep on counting . . ."
Wamariri grunted. She had done really well at being able to drift off to sleep, and now someone had just disrupted her. She looked up, disgruntled, to see who had just tapped her on the shoulder and awoken her from her slumber.
"Hi," said Lenny enthusiastically, waving his paw. "So . . . I kinda think we got off to a bad start this morning. I don't think you ever told me your name. Mine's Lenny, but I told you that, didn't I?"
Wamariri, for the past few seconds, had been shaking in fury. Now, she finally got her opportunity to jump up and snap at him.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!? I'M TRYING TO SLEEP HERE!!" she roared.
Lenny took a step back.
"Um . . . okay. Can you at least tell me your name?" he asked.
"Why do you care? Go on, go away!" she hollered, pushing him away with her arm.
Wamariri turned around and lied back down on the ground with her forearms crossed.
I'm never going to get back to sleep now.
"When would be a good time to . . .?"
"NEVER!" she shouted.
Lenny grinned. "Haha! I was going to say, 'when would be a good time to leave you alone?' – and you said 'never' – that means I get to stay h . . ." but he got cut off as Wamariri jumped to her feet and roared straight into his face, blowing his flimsy mane backwards. "Heh heh," Lenny replied nervously, "on second thought . . ." he said, as he began to sidestep his way off the scene. Once he was out of striking distance from the lioness, he ran.
"Wamariri."
"WHAT?"
Ema jumped backwards, slightly frightened at the lioness's reaction.
"Um . . . I was just wondering . . . sometime later today . . . could you do something for me?" she asked.
"What?" asked Wamariri again, though not as snappy this time.
"See that lioness over there?" she asked, gesturing towards the spot where Anzi was lying down on the ground. "She's in a deep sleep . . . she's not getting back up . . ." Ema turned back to face Wamariri, with a serious expression on her face, ". . . I need you to see to it."
"Bahati," addressed Lenny, tapping his older brother on the shoulder, "Bahati, wake up!" he whispered.
Bahati lifted his head. "Hmm?" he asked, looking up at his brother.
"The pride told me to wake you up," he said. The two looked up the hill so see the Majani Pride staring down at them, cheering them on as they did so.
"Did they let the buffalo out?" Bahati asked his brother.
"Yeah, I think so."
Bahati got up, yawned, and stretched. "Alright. T'is time to get busy brother. Let's go."
(A/N: Please consider my request from the start of the chapter. Thank you.)