Taking Rafiki Home

[Narifia]

Continued From: "A Life for a Life"

Morobi was carrying Rafiki home swiftly on his back, still unsure what to think of his mate. He was beginning to think Narifia was just a little bit nuts, letting in so many strange lions with strange pasts. Still, at least Shetani was female, and she WAS in need. Morobi was no heartless beast, after all. He sighed, and said to Rafiki, "Rafiki, what am I going to do with that mate of mine? Dragging in strangers like that, it's dangerous."

Rafiki chuckled and replied, "I wouldn't worry, King Morobi. Dat mate of yours has a good head on her shoulders. I would trust her."

Morobi sighed. Not exactly the answer he was looking for. But still, he smiled, "You know, you're probably right. She's never led me wrong before."

They continued on, switching their conversation to more lighthearted subjects, like how everyone in the Pridelands was doing and such. They neared Rafiki's baobab soon, and Rafiki's aging but ever-alert eyes spotted three shapes heading towards the tree. Morobi noticed it too.

"Morobi," Rafiki asked, "Who is dat? Deese old eyes can't see like dey used to."

"Hyenas. One looks pretty injured. Could they be the three hyenas that lioness Shetani was talking about?"

"Could be. Ah, a shaman's work is never done. Take me over dere, den."

[Narifia]

"Kugo, we have company," Kugongo's female counterpart said worriedly, spotting the lion with what appeared to be a monkey on his back.

"The mandrill on the lion's back, that is most certainly Rafiki, Demani," the browner male said.

Kugongo, weak but still holding his own, beamed. "Great! Then our search is over."

The female, now known as Demani, growled at him. "Foolish pup! Rafiki or not, would you just take a look at who's WITH him!? A lioness is one thing, but in the lion's world the male is Khan, and this one looks pretty regal if you catch my drift. Let's leave while we can and come back when there are no lions around."

"Too late," said the brown male, "They've spotted us, and are heading right for us."

"DAMN! Then brace yourselves for another fight!" Demani snarled, readying herself for attack.

"No. Rafiki is with him. No matter what, we have to at least wait until Rafiki is safely out of the way," the brown male said.

"Wafariki is right," Kugongo said. "Besides, if the lion is Rafiki's friend then there's a chance he's friendly. He doesn't even look like he wants to attack! Just look at his posture, it's all wrong for attack!"

"Then why are they coming over here so fast!?" Demani asked, frustrated and fearful.

"We'll just have to find that out when they get there," the last male now known as Wafariki said, bracing himself but trying not to look too hostile.

The three of them waited in anxiety for the lion and the mandrill to reach them, fearful of a confrontation they might not be ready to face right now.

[Narifia]

The three hyenas looked defensive, but not hostile. Morobi noted this and slowed his pace as he neared them, not wanting to come across as being aggressive. Though he certainly would uphold his dominant demeanor; as king he always had to have that air of dominance.

Rafiki picked up on this and smiled, glad he didn't have to remind the young king of the finer points of being diplomatic.

Morobi came to a stop in front of the hyenas and offered a friendly--but not too friendly--nod of greeting. He didn't think it was a good idea to let Rafiki down just yet, after all the hyenas could do something unpredictable and it wasn't even confirmed yet whether these were Shetani's friends or not.

"I am King Morobi of the Outlands," Morobi began with, "and I am here simply to deliver this mandrill to his home, which you are coming quite close to." He added the last part with a small edge of warning in his voice. "I have no intention of harming you, but there is one thing I would like to know. Is there one among you named Kugongo?"

[Narifia]

The three hyenas did not relax much until the lion mentioned something about the Outlands. The language barrier prevented them from understanding the word "king," but all three silently figured out it must mean "khan." Morobi's posture and attitude certainly made him seem enough like a khan, so that is how the three decided to treat him.

Kugongo was mildly surprised to hear the Lion Khan mention his name, but knowing he was from the Outlands made it less strange. After all, Shetani must have told someone about them. Weakly, for he was now in great need of Rafiki's help, Kugongo nodded slowly and answered, "I am Kugongo, Morobi Khan, and I know why you seek me. A... a friend of mine was injured badly attempting to get to your land. Her name is Shetani, and we brought her to the Outlands and left her there knowing she would get help. I know she was found by a female from your clan. Please tell me, is she all right?"

Kugongo had always been a hyena very straightforward and somewhat emotional, Wafariki remembered as he listened to his brother speak. His tension eased as he figured there was now no danger, and although they probably weren't among friends, they weren't among enemies either. Also, Wafariki inwardly chuckled at hearing a male being called "khan." It was like calling a crocodile a zebra; it was almost laughable to think about.

Demani, however, waited for the Lion Khan's response trepidly, knowing that there were never friends where you thought they were. They had all been taught that lesson brutally enough today.

[Narifia]

Rafiki spoke this time, smiling kindly at the troubled hyena and he answered, "Shetani is going to be just fine, dat is where we just came from. But you..."

Rafiki patted Morobi's back gently to let him know he wanted to get down. Morobi complied, but kept an eye on the hyenas still just in case. Rafiki went over to Kugongo and grabbed his face gently (causing the poor guy to whine a little in surprise and also pain), looking him over. "You look like you are in need of a patching up. Come with me, there are more herbs available in my tree over dere."

"Then you are Rafiki. It is an honor to meet you, you are well known even in the dregs of the Elephant Graveyard, where we come from," Wafariki said, glad at last to be in the presence of a healer. Once Kugongo was taken care of, Wafariki and Demani could have their lesser wounds looked at too.

"Yes, I'm afraid I am," Rafiki said with a genial chuckle, "Well, come on, all of you! I'm going to be a busy old monkey today, I can see. But first, I believe King Morobi has a message to deliver to you, Kugongo."

Morobi thought for a moment, then nodded, remembering. "Yes. Shetani wanted you to know that if you needed anywhere to go, the Teikan clan would gladly welcome you. And..."

Morobi watched Rafiki for a moment, pondering over what they had talked about earlier. With a sigh, he decided he should say what Narifia would say, "And you are welcome in the Outlands, too. In case you want to visit Shetani while she is there healing." He added the last part hastily, not to sound too much like Narifia. He couldn't affort to go completely soft.

[Narifia]

Kugongo was relieved at hearing about Shetani's condition. He couldn't explain it, but if there was one thing in the world he could have wished for in that moment it would have been only for Shetani to be safe and her mission to be completed. What was this strange, sudden bond he felt towards her? A demon-cat he had met just earlier that day had changed his entire world, and she was certainly no demon. Not like his supposed comrades who had left him for dead earlier. They were the REAL demons.

Kugongo listened to Morobi's message and smiled warmly at the invite. "Thank you, Morobi Khan, for her message and the invitation. It is much appreciated."

Wafariki asked Kugongo, "Don't you want to send a message back to Shetani, Kugo?"

"Yes. Tell her we are well, and we'll get along just fine. We don't know where we're going just yet, but Teikan will always be a possibility. Thank you again, Morobi Khan."

As Morobi nodded 'You're welcome' and left to return home, Kugongo turned to follow Rafiki and his two companions. "Thank you for your help as well, Rafiki-iaomai," he said, using the hyannic word for "shaman."

Rafiki, all-knowing it seemed, understood parts of the hyannic language and smiled upon hearing the term. It was a polite, respectul term, used only for the most respected shamans. "No trouble at all, Kugongo. Though, there will be if you don't stop de chatter and let me work on dose wounds of yours!"

Rafiki jested, then set to work on Kugongo's wounds whether the poor hyena was ready or not.

The day was nearing an end, and soon Morobi would be home and the three hyenas would be healed and on their way. But where to, exactly? Only the three of them knew, if even they knew. They seemed to take a liking to becoming wanderers and drifters, Kugongo especially with his newfound outlook on life; that nothing would ever look the same again, and now he wanted to know more about the world than he had been taught all his life. What other learned lies about the world could he prove false? He had to know now, and thanks to Shetani he had the drive and courage to do it.