Chapter LXXXXIII: Goin' onto the Groovin Empire Part VII

All together as they went onwards down the many green hills and jungle-lined paths, Nozomi walked along with her friends. The journey itself had been relatively peaceful though there had been some occasions where heartless had attacked, but that had been easily dealt with since they were all relatively small ones.

So sighing a little bit tiredly Nozomi looked to her right a little annoyed as Pacha was now carrying Kuzco in his arms who was looking as smug as ever, while Cait sith rested on her head once again as he simply swayed his tail back and forth.

Pacha then spoke up as he said to the llama emperor, "low blood sugar huh?"

A smile on his face Kuzco replied, "Yeah it's a curse."

Though of course Cait sith and Nozomi knew that this was an absolute lie from the expression on his face while Pacha simply and calmly replied, "well as soon as we get something to eat you're walking the rest of the way."

At this point Nozomi then replied a little tiredly, "Mr Pacha, you're way too nice for your own good."

Hearing this a little surprised he replied with a slight smile on his face, "oh really?"

Seeing that he had not got that she was being sarcastic Nozomi then replied, "yeah really you are."

For it was clear to her that Pacha was a person who could be easily fooled as he simply smiled away, but then again she could be as well along with Cait sith, for she still hadn't told Pacha what had happened at the bridge with her Kuzco.

She then decided to fall back a little, so slowing her walking pace slightly she went to talk to her head warming companion, "hey Cait sith?"

Hearing her he responded, "yeah lass?"

Nozomi was then quiet for a moment before replying, "…Do you think it's a good thing for us to hide what Kuzco was planning to do to us from Pacha?"

At her question Cait sith was quiet for a moment as he considered with his arms folded, Nozomi then stopped as she looked up to him but it seemed that he came to a decision as he lay back down, "that's a tough one lass… but I'd say personally it's better for us to keep a lid on things still for now, otherwise it'll just cause more delays than we need."

Listening to his answer Nozomi then nodded as she responded, "yeah that's true… I just hope that Kuzco does change his mind before we make it to the palace."

Cait sith hearing her say this then looked to Kuzco who was still being carried by Pacha as he then replied to her, "well hopefully we should have luck on our side, if we've even got that with that spoilt animal."

Hearing this and then looking at Kuzco herself made Nozomi depressed as she sighed with annoyance, "yeah…"

She began to walk on again as Kuzco and Pacha had made a considerable distance between them, as they continued it was then Cait sith remembered something, "hey lass?"

At his questioning tone she responded, "yeah Cait sith?"

He then asked her, "Can I see that little gem that squirrel lad gave ya?"

Hearing him Nozomi responded, "gem?" But then she remembered, "oh yeah!" With that she rummaged in one of her waistcoat pockets as she felt it and said, "Ah hear it is, I almost forgot about it since we've been doing so much."

Nodding as she spoke Cait sith then watched as she reached her right hand up to him. He then took the yellow glittering jewel from her as he gazed it for a moment before replying to her, "yeah that's true we have been."

Smiling as he said this Nozomi then asked him, "so why do you want to look at it?"

Hearing her Cait sith then told her with a hint of humour in his voice, "You'll see lass."

Not understanding why he said it like that made Nozomi quiet for a second looking suspicious before shrugging it away and then went back to looking on ahead.

With that she then turned a corner and saw past the many leaves of the jungle that Kuzco and Pacha had stopped and were standing in front of a building.

It was a strange one to her, it stuck out from the side of a cliff, all wooden with a small arching bridge leading to its door, it was almost like a cottage with its thatched roof and chimney emitting smoke, but the thing that was the most odd to her was the strange sign that was attached to it. It was a sign of a man in a blue and white chequered costume with a big open grin on his face and a plate in his hand with some kind of food on it.

Seeing it all Nozomi thought it was all very strange as she looked up at it, then as she arrived beside Kuzco (who had now been placed back on the ground) and Pacha, seeing her arrive Kuzco then spoke to her, "finally you arrived what took you?"

Hearing this tone Nozomi looked at him annoyed, as she replied, "none of your business! What is this place anyway?"

Hearing her Pacha then told her calmly, "it's a pit stop restaurant, I thought it'd be a good idea for us to take a break and eat something, that way Kuzco can get over his low blood sugar and we can move on from here."

At the prospect of eating something Nozomi was more than pleased at this news as she said, "oh wow great! Let's go in then!"

Seeing her like this Cait sith then thought to himself, 'well I can see what's an easy motivator for her!'

But then Kuzco spoke up annoyed, "hey! Wait up! We can't go in!"

At the front doors Nozomi stopped as she had her hand on the wooden flaps, as she called back confused, "why?"

Cait sith curious himself then looked above the door and saw the reason as he tapped on her head and said, "just take a gander upwards lass."

Hearing him Nozomi then turned and looked up saw what it was he was talking about as there was a red and white sign with a line across a silhouette of a llama on it, seeing this her shoulders dropped as she whined, "aw now what!"

But it was then that Kuzco and Pacha came up from behind her as then the llama herder put a hand on her shoulder and then told her, "don't worry we've already come up with a plan."

Turning and looking at him Nozomi asked looking perplexed, "a plan?"

His smugness beaming in his smile Kuzco then spoke proudly, "yep! And I was the one who thought of it!"

At this remark Nozomi then looked far from pleased as she said, "oh great!... I anticipate with baiting breath."

Now inside the restaurant an older woman stood before a table with a bored look on her face as she spoke in a monotone voice, "welcome to Mudka's meat hut home of the mug-"

Then Kuzco made an imitation of a flattered woman as he batted his long eyelashes and waved a fan with his cloven hoof. Sitting awkwardly beside him with Cait sith at her right side was Nozomi as she felt that this was by far one of the weirdest situations she'd ever been in, for now she was acting as a… daughter to Pacha and Kuzco as she sat there.

Playing his role as the wife and mother Kuzco was wearing Pacha's poncho over him to make a dress as well as his hat with a flower wrapped around his neck to add a slight bit of feminine beauty.

Pacha was left with his white shirt and brown trousers on as he made cheesy little gestures of cooing and lovey doveiness making Nozomi look at this sceptically and awkwardly as she had no idea where to look.

Their waitress with her orange bobbed up hair in the shape of a broccoli head with a red bow tied around it, stood in her blue dress and green order book uttered stood simply unfazed, "of meat, what'll it be?"

Looking unsure as she looked between the waitress and her 'parents' Nozomi then heard Pacha cough into his right hand a smile on his face as he said, "we'll have two specials, is that all right dear?" He asked to Kuzco rolling his eyes.

Hearing him participating in the act Kuzco responded, "oh whatever you say pumpkin you know what I like."

Giggling happily then Pacha turned to Nozomi as he asked, "and what about you sweet pea? What'll you have?"

Thinking in her mind, 'sweet pea?' Nozomi answered though a little unsure, "uh, I'll have a watermelon … dad" but then she felt a tug on her elbow as Cait sith was acting still as a doll as she then remembered what he asked for as she said, "oh and a glass of milk."

Laughing as she said this he then told the waitress, "she's our little angel."

Becoming weirded out by this comment Nozomi just looked absolutely awkward with wide eyes, as she didn't know where this line had come from.

The waitress though still unaffected by all this simply replied, "and what an adorable one you have hun."

Now feeling utterly embarrassed Nozomi just covered her face as she lay her front on the table and crossed her arms, she then listened on as the waitress spoke again, "so that's two specials, a watermelon and a glass of milk."

But then Kuzco spoke up again, "and an onion log!" As the gruff of his masculinity came out in his voice, the waitress hearing this looked at him suspiciously. Realising his mistake he quickly fanned himself as he said gently and daintily, "to share." As he added a small gentle laugh.

The waitress smiling in reply then spoke out as she walked away, "ordering! I need two hearts burns! A water balloon! A bucket of paint! And a deep fried doorstop!" At this Kuzco and Pacha laughed extremely loudly at this joke way of ordering.

As the waitress walked away Nozomi turned her head out of her arms as she asked the both of her 'parents,' "how can you guys do this!... it's so embarrassing."

Hearing her say this Kuzco turned to her as he asked in an amused voice, "and what's wrong with it? Do you hate having me for a mother?"

Looking at him bitterly annoyed Nozomi turned her head away in a "hmph!" As she then replied, "if you were my mama I'd be one ugly child."

Kuzco hearing this became annoyed in moments, Pacha though seeing that a quarrel was about to break out from the both of them spoke up," well anyway besides any parental relations, I got to say that this was a pretty good idea of yours Kuzco."

Hearing this his smug pride returning in moments he then spoke, "well when are you guys going to learn that all my ideas are good ones?"

At this point Nozomi removed herself from the top of the table as she sat back in the chair and said looking at him with annoyed doubtful eyes, "all of your ideas?"

Kuzco seeing and hearing her say this then asked, "what? What do you mean by that?"

At this Pacha came into the same frame of mind as Nozomi as he then began to count on his fingers, "well you going into the jungle by yourself."

Nozomi then added, "being chased by heartless and all the other selfish stuff in total were," she then stopped as Pacha then counted his second finger as Cait sith said finally breaking out of his still act, "all really bad ideas lad."

Seeing this little act and knowing that he was outnumbered he then tried to speak up for himself in slight disbelief, "oh well! Anything sounds bad when you guys all say it with that kind of attitude."

At this Nozomi just shook her head as a humorous smile came on her face, as she looked to the side thinking that he just would never get it. She also felt slightly enlightened inside of the thought of being a 'daughter' even it was pretend it was nice imagining this as a family outing.

But then a familiar monotone voice returned, "hot and crispy pill bug for the happy couple," turning around again Nozomi saw what looked like to be two rolled up blue things of some sort.

Looking at this questioningly she was distracted though when something scrumptious was laid in front of her as the waitress said, "a slice of fresh watermelon," then she lay a tall glass beside it, "and fresh milk, enjoy yourselves." With that she walked away carrying her bored atmosphere with her.

Seeing the watermelon Nozomi grabbed her spoon in seconds as she spoke truly infused, "oh yay! I haven't had this in ages!" With that she dug straight in as she enjoyed the succulent and watery flavour of the fruit.

Cait sith then got up himself as he took the glass in both hands and sat down again. He started to drink away then taking a breath he spoke out, "oh yeah! That def hits the spot! Nothin like a little bit of cow j." With that Cait sith went straight back to drinking.

Kuzco though looking at his 'meal' was a little hesitant, as he didn't even know what it was as he sniffed at it slightly, but then Pacha was eager himself to eat as he pulled out a straw and then tapped the rolled up thing. In seconds it rolled out with a gooey, splodge sound as it was revealed it to be an insect with its insides all molten and turned into some sort of yellow goop.

Kuzco became disgusted in seconds as then Pacha smiled happily as he breathed in the scent deeply finding it delicious as he spoke out, "oh boy!" With that he placed the straw in as he started to suck its insides out.

Kuzco seeing this spoke out his disgust, "bleeggh!" As he stuck his tongue out at the gross sight, he then had to hold his mouth at one point as he thought he was going to be sick.

He then looked over to Nozomi as she now had the watermelon in her hands as she was now biting into the succulent fruit; feeling eyes on her Nozomi turned around and saw him staring at her meal. Seeing this she looked to his food and saw that he hadn't taken a bite at all out of it, puzzled why she then saw finally what Pacha was eating.

Though it was disgusting she had to admit herself she then told Kuzco after swallowing once more manoeuvring the slice out of his reach, "don't stare at my slice! I'm not sharing with you! You eat what you've got!" With that she then went straight to eating again.

Kuzco looked at her really annoyed again, but then Pacha not hearing what was said reached over his straw to Kuzco's bug as he tapped it saying, "hey Kuzco let me get that for you." With that the bug opened up and it's scent echoed out.
Smelling it Kuzco cried out, "bleeggghhh!" as he waved the awful smell away in moments as he backed out of his chair. Seeing him get up and leave Nozomi spoke out, "where are you going?"

Hearing her he then said, "I'm just going to slip into the kitchen and have a word with the chef."

At this Cait sith spoke up as he waved his fist, "yer gonna get us thrown out lad!"

Listening to this comment Kuzco just smiled smugly to him as he patted his hair while he had his arm on the table saying, "Please with this disguise I'm invisible!" With that he walked away on all fours as his bottom bobbed back and forth as he proceeded into the kitchen.

As he disappeared into the room a red dressed man did a thumbs up as he made a slight laugh with a wink, Pacha returned it though looking a little uncomfortable while Nozomi didn't get it entirely as she just said, "man that dumb sheep camel is such a fuss pot!" With that she continued eating.

Then the door opened as two new voices sounded seemingly to be in a quarrel as they sat down on the table in front of them, "we've all been going around in circles for who knows how long!"

Nozomi and the others didn't pay much heed to the woman's angry words as it continued with them eating away, but then she continued as she said, "that is the last time we take directions from a squirrel! Pete better find something by the time he gets back."

At these words Nozomi halted just as Cait sith did at the sound of this one name, as Nozomi said quietly covered in watermelon seeds and juice, "Pete?"

But then the match was struck as she continued to say," I should have done away with Kuzco with the heartless when I had the chance!" At the sound of the llama emperors name Pacha choked on his bug as Nozomi breathed in sharply as Cait sith's fur bristled with anxiety.

The two villains unaware of their targets who were directly behind them, Kronk talked to Yzma trying to ease her out of her rage gently, "Aww you really should stop beating yourself up about that."

However this did nothing to ease it as Yzma simply bent a fork over with her left thumb really, really hard making it twist in over itself in half as her face became sour in moments dropping the former utensil in seconds.

Hearing the sound Pacha began to sweat as Nozomi and Cait sith became worried in moments as well as Kronk then said, "uh oh! I'll get ya another one there Yzma," At this Nozomi ducked in moments under the table as Kronk turned and talked to Pacha who was trying to keep his face concealed as best he could as he asked, "yo? You usin that fork pal?"

Under the table Cait sith tugged on Nozomi's sleeve, "lass what're ya doin!"

Confused herself at why she hid so suddenly Nozomi told him quietly as she began to realise, "I had to hide Cait sith! They're with Pete! And if he comes here and sees us then everyone here will be in danger! I can't let more innocent people fall to the heartless!"

Meanwhile back above shakily Pacha reached his fork over to Kronk as he snatched it up, but then he noticed something about Pacha as he asked, "hey don't I know you?"

At this Pacha responded, "uh no I don't think so," as he was desperate not to be recognised.

However not one willing to give up Kronk persisted as he tried to remember," wrestled you in high school!"

Quickly Pacha responded quietly, "uh no I don't remember that no."

Underneath the table Nozomi could hear what was going on up there as she became more and more anxious as she pulled on Pacha's trousers as a silent sign to hurry up!

But then Kronk again spoke as he came up with another possibility, "oh I got it! Miss Knacker's interpretative dance two semesters, I was usually in the back because of my weak ankles."

Pacha distressed saw Nozomi there as she looked on desperately with urgency as she mouthed the words, 'c'mon!"

Kronk then spoke once more, "come on pal you gotta help me out here." As he then started to pat his shoulder.

Talking quickly with urgency Pacha responded, "uh look I don't think we've ever met but, uh um? I gotta go!" With that he got up and walked away from the table as Nozomi quickly followed beside him with Cait sith on her shoulder as his body shielded her from being seen by Yzma or Kronk.

Seeing the farmer leave he then called out, "oh don't worry! I'll think of it!"

Meanwhile back in the kitchen Kuzco was lecturing the chef about his cooking methods making the man more annoyed by the moment as he continued to stir a big pot, "now look! All I know is, is that this food looked iffy, all right?" The chef growled mad at this comment as he started to stir harder into his pot, as Kuzco continued on to say, "and I'm not the only one who thinks that I'm sure."

At this point Nozomi and Pacha walked in as they saw the llama emperor carrying away, looking at him Nozomi spoke, "hey! Kuzco!"

However not hearing her he continued, "so I'm just here checking to make sure that you're gonna take the main course up a notch!" Making the chef stir harder all the more.

Yzma on the other side of the wall looking at the menu asked annoyed, "is there anything in this menu that is not swimming in gravy!"

Hearing her question Kronk then decided to investigate as he responded," hang on, I'll go ask the chef." With that he got up as he made his way towards the kitchen.

Seeing him continuing on and on annoyed Nozomi told Pacha, "Just grab him! We'll never get away at this rate!" With that Pacha did so as he dragged Kuzco away by the neck from the infuriated chef.

However Kuzco persisted, "hey it's really simple! Is there or is there not anything edible on this menu?" Making each remark stab the chef in his ego.

Cait sith on Nozomi's shoulder spoke out, "I'll give ya somethin edible in a sec ya dumb thick head if ya don't clam up! Ya-"

But there was a gasp from both Nozomi and Pacha as they saw Kronk coming towards the kitchen doors! Quickly Nozomi pushed Kuzco forwards as she spoke out, "oh move! Move! Move!"

However as they all passed the chef Kuzco spoke out, "hey! I didn't ask him about desert yet!" With that they all entered into the closet room quickly as Pacha slammed the door behind them, breathing hard, speaking fast wiping a bead of sweat off of his temple, "oh boy that was close!"

Hearing him Nozomi responded just as breathless Kuzco was confused by the situation, "Tell me about it!"

But then on the other side of the door Kronk had arrived as he then asked the now breaking point stirring chef, "hey pal what's your policy on making special orders?"

Having enough the chef spoke out, "all right mister that's it! You want a special order then you make it! I quit!" With that he shoved his hat onto Kronk's head leaving the gentle man speechless.

The upset chef continued as he packed an assortment of his equipment and food into his suitcase, "you know I try and I try, there's just no respect for anyone with vision, there that's it there's just nothing I can do about it."

With that the man left through the doors as Kronk tried weakly to call him back, "hey wait, oh no please don't go."

But then suddenly the waitress lady returned as she called out through the ordering bay, "ordering!" Kronk tried desperately to speak up but it was no use as the lady proceeded quickly counting on her fingers and reading from her order book, "four combo's extra bacon on the side, two chilli days samplers, a basket of liver and onion rings, a catch of the day and a steak cut in the shape of a trout."

Wide eyed as he was dumbfounded by all this info Kronk stood there quietly, seeing this the waitress lady asked, "you got all that honey?"

But then his serving instincts getting the better of him Kronk responded with a confident and determined smile, "Three liquors wearing pants, split of hot air, basket of grandma's breakfast, bulb and taste all tube got it!" As he went straight to work.

Inside the closet room Pacha and Nozomi were desperate to get out of there as Cait sith called out to them whispering as loud as he could, "hurry up mates! We gotta go!"

Looking at them all confused Kuzco asked, "What're you all doing? What's going on!"

At this Pacha responded, "There's no time to explain!"

Nozomi then turned and told him too, "yeah exactly! We gotta get out of here before-"

But then at these words there was a huge rumble in the ground making things shake and Nozomi could sense along with Cait sith without any words having to be exchanged that Pete had arrived at the restaurant.