VIShingla
So I m sick. stated Kiro wearily.
It was the next day, and the pair had escaped both the lion and the group that dubbed themselves the Few. Together they lie at the base of an acacia, further north from the pride s territory, and at least a mile from the place that the Few had gathered at in the vegetation. The sun was rising for the morning, and Ziku had gotten Kiro to come out of her dazed state as he lie her down at the trunk. He d licked her wounds before he tended his own, and afterwards, before dawn had come he had stalked the surrounding areas to make sure no one else was near. Aside from a lone giraffe at the side of an undersized water hole about a quarter of a mile away, the servals were alone.
Kiro, began Ziku gently as he began to groom her again. It s OK
No it s not. she cut in, pushing away from him. Don t, Ziku.
Blinking in hurt at her, he cocked his head slightly.
Don t give that look, she hissed, and for a moment he was reminded of Hatiti; he shivered. Ziku, Kiro started over, an apologetic tone on her words. Don t lick me. If I m sick, I could give it to you.
I ve already licked your wounds dry. he admitted, and though a fear began to bubble inside him, Ziku said nothing, and did nothing to betray that particular emotion; he had to be strong, after all.
But but I m sick, moaned Kiro in anguish. How can this be, Ziku? I will die!
Frowning, the only thing he could come up with, was lamely enough, Maybe not soon.
She glared, then her face fell again as she shook her head. I can never have cubs if I live long enough to. I would feel awful. Something then spurted into her mind, and she looked up, then cried, Oh, Ziku!
What? He perked.
My mother! she cried. She is dead!
Ziku frowned. He hadn t known how to break the news to her, so after she had woken up, he had just bluntly said it; now of course, he regretted it.
I m sorry, he murmured, and moved forward to nuzzle her.
Don t! she hissed, and he pulled back abruptly. With her fangs exposed, Kiro growled, Your mother helped kill her!
The realization that Yisha was a murderer had hurt Ziku more than anything else. More so even then his sister s
Oh! he cried out, something else then bursting into his own head. Oola!
What? Kiro questioned.
No! Ziku snarled, and he hung his head. Mother she must have Oh, but how could she?
What are you talking about? demanded Kiro.
Looking up, his eyes watering, Ziku explained, Oola was killed the same way the rest of the other animals were. And at the meeting, they were talking about how there was a threat during their last meeting. I think that threat could have been Oola.
Kiro s eyes narrowed. I wouldn t be surprised if Yisha killed her own daughter. he growled coldly.
Ziku forced himself to gaze at her. Kiro don t judge me on her actions please
At first the female continued to glower, but soon enough even her anger towards him diminished, and she nodded curtly. Yes, Ziku, she finally admitted. If it weren t for you I d be dead I owe you my life.
Ziku shook his head, then buried his muzzle into a place in her coat that was not damaged or bald.
I forgot, he suddenly growled as he pulled away. You re skin and bone, Kiro!
Yeah, she agreed, gravely. They took me the sun I went off. All I wanted was to see how close the pride was, in case we d be in danger or something. But two of them they caught me. They dragged me off and kept me captive at those thickets, and I was starving.
They didn t feed you at all? he gasped in shock.
Kiro replied, They gave me remains of something small, like a rodent, every other moon or so. I don t think they wanted to kill me until the rest of the Few came.
You mean, they weren t all there?
Of course not, Ziku. Think. Your mother lives a while off from here, remember? And Oola Sorry, she added sympathetically at his cringe. Well, that happened to her almost two full moons ago. They must only have meetings every full moon or so.
But they kill more often than that we found dead animals more than just once every full moon. he then put in thoughtfully. And even that lioness a full grown lion Ziku shuddered.
They must ve all come together for that one, whether or not a meeting took place. Other wise they could ve have killed her.
He nodded solemnly, staring at nothing in particular.
And they do it because because there is a sickness in each animal that they don t want to spread. Kiro then pointed out. They think it s for the good of the rest of the animals maybe they re right.
Ziku perked, then kneaded the ground and growled, Don t buy it, Kiro. Don t ever think you have to leave this world because
But I m sick. They said I ll die anyway, and there s a chance I can pass it on to others, even even you. Kiro gazed at him, but Ziku was sure she was not actually focusing on him; it was the same distance look that had been plastered to her face, back when she was a captive. Maybe you should have let them
No, Kiro! he cried, leaping up. I won t hear it! Don t say it! You re fine! I don t care what they say! And how do they know anyway?
Turning gravely to him, she murmured, Well, why would they randomly kill animals and then lie about it? That s never been heard of.
Because well er But he had no answer. Finally, he said in growing confidence, Look, Kiro. I went out to avenge my sister s death, and I still intend on doing that, but I need your help. I need to figure out who did it, and I can t do it alone. Alright? Besides, you ve always seemed healthy to me.
Rolling over in a more relaxed manner, Kiro lightly pawed at his leg. Yawning in building exhaustion that began to take her over, the female murmured, Not now.
Only because you haven t eaten. Go get yourself some water, then go to sleep. I ll be out hunting for you, alright? We ll get you better in no time, you ll see. Then we can really find out what this is all about.
But what if it s true, Ziku? What if I am sick? she whispered, not bothering to look up anymore from where she lie.
Shaking his head, Ziku replied, Don t worry. We ll we ll find someone t; help. A shaman, perhaps. My mother used to tell me stories of
Don t mention your mother! snarled Kiro, abruptly rolling on her stomach to lift her head and glared.
Ziku just shook his head. Yeah I don t want to think of her either
When the wounds of both servals had healed Kiro and Ziku were both left with noticeable scars that laced over their coats, each one covered in obstructed fur, its color different from the rest of their pelts they began to travel once more. It was about a month later, and they had not seen signs of Hatiti, Ata or the rest of the Few.
They moved northward first, then slightly turned eastward, until at last they came to an area where a large baobab tree sat in the middle of a vast plain.
D ya think that s it? Kiro whispered as they crouched side by side, staring at the silhouette of the grove as it sat in the golden sunlight, not but a fifth of a mile away.
Mo she, Ziku began, doing his best not to say the word Mother around Kiro. Told me that where there s a healthy baobab, there s bound to be a shaman.
But not at every healthy baobab. remarked Kiro doubtfully as she sat up.
Maybe. But it s worth a shot, isn t it?
Ziku led the way forward. They had been desperately searching for a source of encouragement that could confirm that Kiro was indeed, healthy. Indeed the two contemplated silently on it, and Ziku found himself praying to the Kings and Queens of the Past every night since their confrontation with the Few.
By the time they got to the large tree, Ziku scented the air guardedly, and a strange odor hit his nose.
Smells like he began quietly, but his thoughts were confirmed as a large creature leapt in front of the two servals. They crouched and hissed, but did not run.
And what is the reason for such strange company? the leopard asked in amusement as she gazed down at the two smaller cats.
Ziku shivered, and he could feel Kiro tensing beside him. The cat was much larger than them, and though there was clearly experience in this feline she had seen many years come and go in her long life there was still a vast array of intimidation felt by the servals. At the same time, an eccentric, almost inspiring wonder had engulfed them; they were like little cubs gawking up with wide eyes at something new. And the pelt on this cat what a beauty! It was something, Ziku felt, that only his kind could only be envious over.
The leopard did not miss these emotions, and so she chuckled, and asked gently, Are you going to speak at all, little ones?
Kiro suddenly sat up stiffly and snarled in disdain and defiance, her fur on end, Little ones! We are so not little ones!
The leopard merely smiled back as she sat down, her tail curling elegantly around her body.
OK then, she finally uttered, when neither said another word. I shall retire to my nest then. And she stretched and gave a long yawn.
Wait! Ziku finally forced himself to pipe up. Wait.
The larger cat perked and replied, Yes?
You re you wouldn t happen to be
Get on with it, if you don t mind, little one. I m growing jaded, and the time of the sun is not my time. I d normally be sleeping, you know.
Nodding hastily, he blurted, Do you know anything about medicine and healing?
Slowly wishing her tail in amusement, she studied the pair pensively, then answered, I might know some of the art.
Could you please help us then? he pleaded. Please help my friend. She
I don t need her help. spat Kiro definitely as she glared at the leopard. Ziku gasped as his friend shook her head and murmured in scorn, Little ones, pff.
Well, alright then. yawned the leopard, and with that she turned and bounded gracefully into the tree.
Ziku stood there for a moment, not knowing what to think. But eventually, he glared at Kiro and growled, What was that for?
What d ya mean? she snapped back. She called us little ones.
So?
So? We are anything but, Ziku! We escaped the Few and she intends on calling us little ones! I won t stand for it!
Don t you remember why we came here? he cried desperately. He couldn t believe how stubborn she was being!
Hmph. she snorted and looked away.
Shaking his head, Ziku followed the leopard into the tree. He was actually surprised he had made the jump, it was so far. But thankfully his paws barely touched the edge of the trunk and they gave him the leverage he needed as he leapt upward.
Are you really gonna follow her? exclaimed Kiro from below, suddenly anxious. Ziku? Ziku!
He ignored the calls of his stubborn friend, climbing into an impressive sight; the layer of the tree was surpassingly flat, and around the edges is where the branches rose up, almost like a wall with many gaps. On one of the branches laid the leopard, her tail dangling below it and swishing to an fro. Eyes still closed, she purred, You came, little one?
Y yes, he stammered; again Ziku found himself intimated in his own awe that he felt for this magnificent creature. Er, ma am,
Shingla, she yawned, still not bothering to open her eyes.
Yes, well, Shingla, my name is Ziku. My friend down there is Kiro. I m sorry for the way she acts, she s just well, anyway. I m not exactly sure, but she might be sick.
Peering through now one open eye, the larger cat replied, You said that, but she seems just fine to me, other than a few scratches that have already healed. Same goes for you.
Yeah, we had a bit of a thing. Er, I mean, not between us, he hastily added in embarrassment. What I mean is, with others um, never mind. Ziku shut his mouth, blushing.
The leopardess lifted her head and grinned, both eyes open now.
Do you wish for me to make sure you friend is OK? she finally asked.
Yes! he blurted in relief. Yes, that would be nice.
Well, I could do that, she said, yawning again, her blotched tail continuing to swing, the tip of it occasionally curling up, then straightening out again. But you re friend has already made it clear that she doesn t need my help.
Just ignore her. he urged.
I can t just force her to let me look at her.
Ziku plopped down in frustration, muttering under his breath, Yeah, maybe I can. Stubborn little Ziku! called Kiro s voice from below. What s goin on?
Come up here, if you really wanna know! he called over his shoulder.
The leopardess continued to gaze amusement at him.
You come down here! she called in a mixture of growing irritation and dread.
As Ziku sat there he thought he could even hear a slight tone of begging. Smirking to himself, he suddenly called out, You know what I think you are, Kiro?
Kiro stood at the bottom of the tree, cocking her head slightly.
A little thing!
Pulling her lips back in a vicious snarl, the female serval leapt forward angrily. Ziku ducked just in time as his friend went flying rather elegantly over his head, landing a foot behind him on the center of the trunk.
You she had begun, swerving her head around just as Ziku had, so that her flashing eyes were burning into his, a dancing flame of rage clearly boiling in her.
Well since you re up here, Ziku hastily cut in, and bowed his skull once more, just in time as Kiro flung a claw-filled pawed at his face. You might as well ask Shingla if you re sick.
Oh, and let me guess, Shingla is this big one. Kiro huffed mockingly as she glanced toward the leopardess; Shingla had not yet moved other than her tail and the occasional twitching of an ear. She continued to grin at the serval instead.
Glancing apologetically to the one animal who could truly help them at the time, Ziku nodded and murmured, Well, yes.
Kiro hissed again, but he suddenly blurted, Kiro, we ve been traveling for suns and moons and don t you want to know if you re healthy? What about me? What about if you ever have kittens?
Again the female hissed, but a new realization had come over her. Finally, she shook her head, muttered something under her breath, then sighed and looked in defeat to the so-called shaman.