A Life for a Life

[Kai]

"Juuka told you about me? Then you might know, I was found as a cub by my family."

Her paw subconciously touched the shreds that remained of her right ear at this thought.

"I love them o' course, but I wanted to now who my birth parents are. Juuka and Maka told me to search for King Scar."

She still had to pause and think about pronouncing 'king' and 'Scar' seperately.

"They told me to come here. But they probly ain't had news from here for ages. Apparently I'm too late to talk to this 'Scar.' Queen Narifia said you might be able to help me. "

She tried to hide a hopeful expression, but it could be seen in her eyes. Without information from Rafiki, she didn't know what else to do.

"Ya don't happen to know anythin' do ya?"

[Narifia]

Rafiki contemplated the question for a moment, then answered, "No, I am afraid not. But don't fret, if your Maka told you to search de lands of King Scar, den your journey takes place here. You'll find your answers here."

Of course, Rafiki knew more than he was letting on. But Shetani's initial guess was right; it was her destiny to find out for herself who she really was. And what fun she'd have in the process...

[Kai]

Her face fell slightly as Rafiki revealed less information than she had hoped. She still didn't know exactly where to go from here. Scar had been her only clue. And because her father had talked so highly of Rafiki, she half expected him to know everything.

"Thanks for your help. I gotta say I was hopin' for somethin' a little more specific, but Juuka always said that anythin' worth doin' is never easy."

As she remembered the phrase, she could see the greying male hyena in her mind saying the words. She sighed.

"At least I know to look 'round here."

[Narifia]

"Your Juuka is a wise hyena, Shetani," Rafiki said as he began to gather his things. "No journey is ever easy. But here is some advice before I go."

The old, grey mandrill turned his ever-wise eyes towards Shetani and said, "You may need to search far and long for your answers, but never be afraid to look right in front of you. You never know what you'll find."

With that, Rafiki turned to Morobi, "I hate to trouble you again, but deese old bones can't go as far as they used to."

"Of course, Rafiki. You dont ever have to ask," Morobi replied, then as soon as Rafiki was on his back they set off again towards Rafiki's home in the Beobab tree.

[Kai]

Shetani nodded, "Thanks Rafiki."

Once he was out of sight, Shetani felt her wounds ache. Recalling the fight reminded her of something important that had slipped from her mind whilst she was investigating her past.

"Kugongo! Ah, geeze. He's still got nowhere to go. He needs to know that he can be safe in Teikan territory. And my family is going to be wondering."

Shetani often didn't think things through. She didn't know where Kugo was, she couldn't just rush back through the Elephant Graveyard, and she was still seriously hurt. But she wasn't thinking and she was used to doing everything for herself, she got up on her paws only to find they would not yet support her. She growled some sort of hyena curse word under her breath as she collapsed back onto the ground.

[Narifia]

"Shetani," Narifia went over, pawing the potion Rafiki had left towards her, and sat down. Mikalli followed. "Drink this and rest, Rafiki left it. Remember, Mikalli will send a message to your parents, and to Kugongo if he finds him. Just give him a description, tell him what to say and where to go."

[Kai]

Shetani looked at the potion.

"Wha'sit for?"

She lapped up a tiny bit of it as she explained to Mikalli.

"I dunno where Kugongo is, but since 'e dropped me off here if we're lucky he won't be far. He's with a couple of other hyenas, one of 'em looks just like him but brown. The Teikan clan lands are just past the elephant graveyard. There'll be an old male an' a female with a mohawk. That'll be my parents, the leaders. Tell them that I was attacked, but that I'm okay. Also tell them that Kugongo and those with him saved my life, and they got nowheres to go. They'll welcome 'im to Teikan lands if they know that."

As she lapped up more and more of the potion, she began to feel weary.

[Narifia]

"Teikan... you mean hyena territory!?" Mikalli seemed horrified.

"They're a friendly clan, Mikalli. All you need to do is say what Shetani told you," Narifia assured him, then turned to Shetani and answered, "Rafiki says it's to help you rest, and rest is oftentimes the best healer."

[Kai]

As she finished the potion, she raised an eyebrow at Mikalli's reaction. She was not used to everyone reacting so negatively to the idea of seeing a hyena.

"They ain't some mindless beasts who'd eatcha as soon as look at ya. In fact, my Juuka's a real peaceable type. Almost too much. He wouldn't hit ya back even if you were beatin' him up. Don't look so worried."

Her eyelids drooped over her bright green eyes as her muzzle parted in a yawn.

"Rest huh? Well, I don't usually sit around when there's things to be done."

She rested her head on her paws.

"But maybe we'll give this rest thing a try. I don't supposed you'd let me go runnin' around anyways, right?"

[Narifia]

Narifia laughed a little then said, "No, I certainly wouldn't." She then puffed out her chest, acted real serious, then continued, "You're in MY territory now, and what I say is law! So you'd better mind me!"

If Mikalli hadn't been so uneasy about his latest assignment, he might've laughed just now at his queen's jesting. But he had a duty to do, so he gulped down his fears and set out to do it.

[Kai]

Shetani laughed along quietly. Slowly, she began to succumb to the mandrill shaman's potion. Usually she would be loathe to sleep in the presence of strangers, but she felt somehow that she could trust Narifia. Besides, the Queen had already saved her life, it wouldn't make sense for her to rescue Shetani and then be hostile. She slowly drifted off into a dearly-needed sleep, the last thoughts on her mind were of getting better as fast as possible.

Continued On: "Delivering A Message"
Continued On: "Taking Rafiki Home"
Continued On: "Disappointment After Disappointment"