Chapter 22: The Hunt

Shego smiled she kneeled down to the tracks in the dirt. Ariel kneeled down next to her to observe. She pointed to the spots of dried blood that dotted the plants around them.

"This had to have been a few hours ago." Shego said looking for any other signs.

"How can she keep going at this rate?" Ariel asked.

Shego stood and fixed her bow. "If you were in her shoes you would keep moving too. Now come on, I want to get her just as bad as everyone else but we're the only ones with the good sense to keep her alive."

They began their long trek through the forest until they came to a stream. Shego was the first to step out of from the brush only to leap back in. She pulled Ariel back and pointed downstream. They watched as a lame figure greedily drank from the stream looking up every so often to be sure they were alone.

Ariel quickly drew an arrow and aimed for the figure. But before she could fire Shego took hold of her shoulder. She shook her head and began her slow creep through the trees and brush down the stream. Ariel stood back with her arrow ready. It wasn't long before Shego was peering at the figure drinking from the stream. She held back the urge to pounce and waited for the figure to lift their head. She impatiently clawed at the tree trying to hold herself back. She nearly ripped a chunk out of the tree when she found herself staring at Bana as she slowly stood from the steam and began her slow limp toward her.

She slid back around the tree and waited for Bana to come into view. She was ready to capture the woman when her plan was interrupted by the snap of a twig. Bana froze in her tracks, Shego glared at Ariel who hid herself behind a bush. Shego gritted her teeth and pressed herself against the tree hoping she wouldn't be spotted.

She cursed at the sound of quick steps echoing away from her. She leapt out from behind the tree to see Bana's fading form. She began to chase her with Ariel in tow. "Aim for her ankle, we need her alive." Shego called as she stopped to shoot an arrow at her target. She hit a tree and Bana made a quick turn, she shot another arrow making her turn again. "Any time now." Shego called. Ariel shot her arrow and watched as Bana stumbled but continued to hop through the forest.

"Why won't she go down?!" Ariel demanded as they continued to chase her.

"Oh forget this!" Shego yelled as she stopped and shot another arrow, hitting Bana's other ankle. Bana finally fell to the ground. "Finally." Shego proclaimed. They slowed to a steady walk and stopped were Bana lay, her face buried in the dirt as hot tears poured from her eyes and mixed with the blood and dirt of her face. Shego pulled the arrows from her ankles and turned her over.

"I hope you know that I hate chasing people." She lifted her up and slammed her into a tree. "We're going to take you back now. And if I have to chase you again, I'm going to beat you worse them Kim did. Do you understand?" Bana nodded vigorously and Shego set her back on her feet only to watch her drop to the ground. She allowed a small smile at the corner of her lips.

"Well now we have to carry this trader." Ariel pouted. Shego pushed her bow into Ariel's hands and lifted Bana to her feet.

"What did you do to me?" Bana begged as she tried to stand on her own.

"We just cut your Achilles tendons no need to cry about it." Shego said as she watched her fall to the ground again. Ariel chuckled as she began to tie Bana's hands together. Shego picked her up again and began walking back toward the palace.

After an hour of silence Shego decided to ask a burning question. "So Bana, what did you stand to gain from all this?"

Bana grunted and Shego dropped her, Bana let out a groan before Shego kneeled down to face her. "I could bring you back in pieces if that's what you really want. But if I were you, I'd want at least one person to hear me out. Now are you going to answer my question or not?"

Bana glared at the ropes binding her hands. Ariel heaved an impatient sigh. "We don't have time for interrogation."

"I'm not about to explain myself to you." Bana growled.

"I tried to help you out but if you want it that way, fine." Shego said as she took hold of the rope around her wrists and began to drag her toward the palace.

It was another two hours before they walked through the gates. The town was packed with soldiers and civilians. The town had a heavy sadness about it which turned to anger the moment they entered. Shego could see Dion's body hanging on the wall, she felt a cold chill run down her spine and continued to walk through the town with Bana dragging behind her. Many soldiers yelled out cursed and threw rotting food at Bana.

Out of frustration Shego stopped and turned to the crowd. "You will have your chance when we are done with her. But if I hear one more person or see one more piece of food you will answer to me." The crowd quickly died down and Shego made her way into the palace. She took this time to ask Bana why she had betrayed them and was spit on in return.