Despite Moyo's best attempts, no one had any idea how to get the Cats home.

Several days passed as they slowly exhausted every possible lead in between mediating disagreements and beginning projects.

The only bright side was that Moyo at least had ideas they could help with to keep them distracted.

“Hrrrraaaah!” Sarabi huffed as she tossed another massive log onto the pile.

The current of which was trying to clear the debris from the lake. “Think that's the last of them,” one of the Hippos who'd been helping her said. “The rest are still too firmly planted.”

“Alright,” Sarabi said, wiping her hands together. “Guess I'll go see what Mrembo’s up to.”

Heading off, the Lioness sighed. She was happy to help out but... she didn't know what to do with herself here. Everything felt like it was just a distraction.

She came across the Cheetah after a short walk, finding her sitting by the edge of the lake. “Don't tell me I've been hucking logs while you've been doing nothing,” Sarabi said, putting a hand on her hips.

“Heh, good to see you too,” the Cheetah said. “Just taking a break, Moyo had me scouting out the surrounding area.”

“Ah... anything noteworthy?” Sarabi asked, sitting down next to Mrembo.

“A few landmarks... nothing that points to home,” Mrembo knew what she was looking for.

Sarabi just sighed again, pulling her knees to her chest. “Why would Ma Tembo send us here if there’s no way home?”

“Maybe we just need to wait a bit,” Mrembo offered. “Other people might show up when they hear about this place... and besides, it’s not so bad here,” she looked out over the lake. “If we are stuck... there are worse places we could have ended up.”

“Don’t tell me you want to stay here?” Sarabi asked, looking at the Cheetah incredulously.

“I’m just saying if we don’t have any leads... I don’t know, just forget I said anything,” Mrembo said, looking away from the Lioness. She’d been thinking about it over the past few days and... she didn’t really have a reason to keep traveling.

What was she going back to? A territory that was no longer hers? The hope that Sarabi’s pride might be grateful enough not to kick her out?

No, she didn’t have a reason to go back... except for Sarabi. Despite it all, she didn’t want to abandon the Lioness.

That had probably been the biggest change these past few days, as both of the Cats realized that what had once been a bond born only out of convenience had turned into something stronger.

Mrembo didn't know the first thing about being friends with someone, but she was pretty sure leaving her to fend for herself in the wilderness wasn't it.

“Come on, maybe Moyo has something for us,” Sarabi said, getting up and heading around the lake to where the Otter had set up.

“Hiya gals!” Moyo said, greeting the two Cats with a wave. “How's it goin?”

“Well I got all the logs out,” Sarabi said.

“Great! That'll make the lake safer, and we've got some buildin materials,” Moyo said excitedly.

“You're going to build something?” Mrembo asked in confusion. People didn't really build things on the savannah. It just wasn't done.

“Well, why not?” Moyo asked. “S'just like a camp, only more permanent. I've got a few ideas, specially if'n we can get started before the dry season hits.”

“Heh, you never do things halfway, do ya?” Sarabi asked with a smirk.

“Nope!” Moyo cheered. “Speaking of, I asked Laini to head down river ‘n ask some folks about directions.”

He was also letting them know about the existence of the lake, a bit risky, especially if another pod or float decided they wanted it, but she'd sent Kuuma with him to keep him safe.

“Thanks Moyo, we really appreciate you helping us get home,” Sarabi smiled, though Moyo could see Mrembo looked much less excited at the prospect.

“Yeah well... you're both welcome to stay as long as you need,” Moyo assured them.

“Moyo!”

“Gah!” The Otter jumped as one of the Tigerfish popped up behind them. “I told ya'll ya don't need to yell.” Honestly she was still figuring the Tigerfish out.

“Sorry, sound not travel good through air,” the Tigerfish apologized. “You asked that we tell you if we find anything interesting on lakebed.”

“Oh? What'd ya'll find?” Moyo asked. Mostly she wanted to make sure there were no underwater caves or anything else potentially dangerous.

“Something moving, not sure what,” the Tigerfish explained. “Normally we eat but school leader gets say.”

She was still having some misgivings about having been made the leader of so many different groups, but she had to admit, the pros far outweighed the cons.

“Yeah no, don't eat it, least til ah take a look at it... can ya'll bring it to me?” She asked.

The Tigerfish nodded and dove back underwater. A group of them surfacing a few minutes later with a large... something.

It was a large, oblong shape, it looked almost like it was made of mud but it had a sheen to it and it looked... softer? More fleshy?

“What in the...” Mrembo muttered.

“Yeah,” Moyo agreed, tapping it lightly. It had a lot of give, and to her surprise, something inside pushed back. It was a thin, hollow, fleshy shell.

“This is creeping me out,” Sarabi said, growling as the object continued to move. “Moyo?”

The Otter considered her options for a second. “Can one of ya'll cut it open?” She asked, more curious than worried.

“You need to learn self preservation,” Sarabi deadpanned as Mrembo stepped forward. “Wh-Mrembo!”

“Oh it'll be fine,” the Cheetah rolled her eyes, holding out a claw as she approached. “Whatever this is, I doubt it's a threat to us.”

She eyed the object for a moment, then pressed her claw to the top and dragged along the length of it.

There was a gasp from within, and Mrembo jumped back as a hand reached up through the slit.

It was brownish-grey, with four long fingers.

“Yeah, sure,” Sarabi said, stepping in front of Mrembo and Moyo just in case.

Another hand joined the other, grasping at the cut and grabbing either side, tearing away the soft cocoon.

Water spilled out, or maybe it was some kind of slime? ... mucus? Either way the three of them stepped back as a being pulled itself free of the cocoon.

It was by far the weirdest looking creature any of them had seen. It had a long, eel-like body, covered in brownish-grey scales. Much like a Snake it had arms but no legs, though it did have four... whiskers? Tentacles? Some kind of long, whip-like growths coming out the side of its body. Two just above the arms, another two further down where legs would have been. Its face was sort of like a muzzle, and it had two tiny black eyes. It coughed, hacking up more of the mucus as the cocoon deflated behind it.

“Oooh... by the will of the Spirits that was a long one,” the creature spoke, stretching and curling its long body.

“It talks,” Mrembo muttered in shock.

“It can also hear you,” the creature scoffed. Its voice sounded like an old mans. “Honestly, have some respect.”

“Sorry uh... sir,” Moyo said, taking a step forward. “She, well, we just ain't never seen anyone like you before.”

“Hmm...” he leaned forward a bit, the tendrils above his arms waving slightly. “No, I suppose you wouldn't have, especially the land dwellers.”

Sarabi noticed his eyes didn't seem to move, in fact they looked clouded over.

“What are you? If'n ya don't mind me askin,” Moyo continued.

“Are you... blind?” Sarabi asked.

“That's two very personal questions young ladies,” he huffed. “I'm a Lungfish, and while my eyes may not work, I am not without sight... now, I've been asleep for a very long time. Does this lake belong to anyone?”

“Uh... me, ah guess,” Moyo admitted, rubbing the back of her head. “Welcome to Ziwa la Amani.”

“The lake of peace... aaaah, I see,” he nodded, his tendrils waving again. “You've done a great and unexpected thing little Heart.”

“I... thank you?” She said, a little shocked.

“... how do you know her name?” Mrembo asked, realizing no one had introduced themselves yet.

He chuckled. “I know a great many things Beauty... tell Mirage she need not worry, I mean you no harm,” he bowed his head. “Moja Kina, Seer of the deep, at your service.”

“By the Spirits,” Moyo gasped.

“Wait... you're the one Ma Tembo meant for us to find!” Sarabi realized.

“Well, I guess his voice would have been silenced if the Tigerfish ate him,” Mrembo muttered.

Ignoring them, he slithered forward and put a hand on Moyo’s shoulder. “We have much to discuss, young Otter... but first, I believe there are some promises that must be kept.”

He turned to the Cats. “Two souls, adrift in the waters of uncertainty, disparate on the surface but a mirrored reflection deep down,” he spoke, putting a hand on either of their shoulders. His skin was cold and clammy. “The river can lead you no further I'm afraid. But home is closer than you think, though you will not realize it until your journey is nearing an end.”

“What?” Sarabi asked, how could her home be nearby? There was no way they were anywhere near her pride's territory.

“Travel west with the setting sun, away from the river and the mountain,” he continued. “Walk until something stops your journey, and the one to whom you return a piece of themselves will point you in the right direction.”

“... are Seers required to speak in riddles?” Mrembo deadpanned.

The Lungfish chuckled, then turned back to Moyo. “Come find me once you're done, as I said, we have much to discuss.”

With that, he slithered back into the lake, disappearing under the surface and leaving the trio alone.

“Looks like you've got a Seer now,” Sarabi smirked, crossing her arms. “Congrats your majesty.”

“You said you'd stop saying that,” the Otter groaned. Both excited and nervous at the prospect. “... ah guess this means yer leavin, huh?”

“We have to keep going,” Sarabi said with a nod.

Mrembo remained quiet. Something Moyo couldn't help but notice.

“Well... I'm not gonna stop ya, even if I am gonna miss ya,” she said, running forward and hugging both of them around the legs. “Take care you two, and look after each other, alright?”

“We will,” Sarabi assured her, patting her on the back before turning to Mrembo with a smile. “After all, what're friends for?”

The Cheetah couldn't help but smile at that. She might not have a reason to go back but... she had a reason to keep going.

“Heh, I knew you two were friends,” Moyo said with a grin as she broke the hug.

“Yes, yes, you were right about everything,” Mrembo chuckled. “You take care of yourself alright? And don't let anyone push you around or doubt you.”

“Don't you worry ‘bout me,” Moyo said with a smirk. “We're all gonna be just fine now.”

Moyo insisted on filling a few baskets of fish for the Cats to take with them, and, less than an hour later, they had crossed the river with some help from the Hippos and were on their way west.

“Not to sound ungrateful, but I’m getting a little tired of fish,” Sarabi said, looking at the baskets they were carrying.

“Well, I’m not hunting until we run out of food,” Mrembo replied. Well... it might be a good idea to grab something and dry out the meat. In case they ended up somewhere with less food. Which, given they were leaving the vicinity of the river, was more likely to happen. “... maybe if I see some easy prey.”

“Someday you’re going to have to teach me how you tell,” Sarabi said. “If nothing else, maybe knowing what to go after will help.”

“I guess I could give you a few pointers,” Mrembo said. At this point, she didn’t think the Lioness would run off on her.

“I’d appreciate that,” Sarabi said with a smile, turning to look ahead. “So... into the unknown huh?” She chuckled, nervously.

“All of this has been unknown, we’ll just be without the river to follow,” she looked over at the Lioness, and Sarabi felt Mrembo’s hand grasp hers. “Don’t worry, alright? We’ll be fine.”

The Lioness smiled back. “Thanks Mrembo... come on,” she said, pulling away from the Cheetah and pushing ahead. “We go until something stops us.”

“Right... whatever that means,” the Cheetah rolled her eyes, following behind the Lioness.

~~~

“Alright so what do you see?” Mrembo asked, looking ahead as she and Sarabi crouched low in the tall grass. Ahead of them were a herd of gazelle.

“A lot of antelope,” Sarabi whispered back. “Look I know how to hunt, it's just the alone part that gets me.”

Mrembo sighed. They'd been traveling for another five days so far and were taking a small break. So they were taking that time to try and teach Sarabi how to hunt on her own.

“Alright, why don't you take a shot at it and let me see what we're working with,” the Cheetah suggested.

Sarabi nodded and crept forward.

So far so good, she was quiet, going after one on the outskirts of the herd. But then it all went wrong as the Lioness rushed forward way too early.

Mrembo might’ve been able to cover that distance, if she couldn't get any closer or if she made a mistake. But the Lioness was easily outpaced by the speedy gazelle.

“Grrrr...” Sarabi growled, stomping back towards Mrembo. “These things are too fast. I need something slower, like a zebra.”

“I don't think the type of prey is the issue,” Mrembo sighed. “You pounced way too early.”

“What do you mean? I was close,” Sarabi replied, trying her best not to sound offended at the criticism.

“Yes but not close enough,” Mrembo shook her head. “You said before your problem is patience, so I assume this is the issue, what was going through your head when you made your move?”

“Just thinking that if I got any closer it’d hear me and run anyway,” Sarabi explained. “So I figured it was better to get a jump on it.”

Mrembo crossed her arms. She’d never taught anyone before and it’d been years since she’d had lessons. “You need to get closer when you’re on your own, the most important thing is making sure you can make it to the prey before it outpaces you,” she explained.

“But it's gonna hear me if I get that close,” Sarabi huffed. “I'm not as stealthy as you.”

“You're plenty stealthy,” Mrembo said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “I think your issue might just be a lack of confidence... as crazy as that is to say given everything about you.”

“Heeeey,” Sarabi's eyes narrowed.

“What I mean is, despite acting like nothing bothers you, you clearly have some issues when it comes to hunting alone,” Mrembo explained.

Sarabi glared for a moment before sighing. “It's not... the most important thing in the pride, but it's a way to prove you can contribute more than you take. And every time I get the chance to try... I choke and I blow it. I get too angry or too anxious, give myself away or move too quickly... I'm afraid the others are going to start thinking I'm a burden.”

“Well... I don't think you're a burden, for what it counts,” Mrembo replied. “Come on, we'll find something else to practice on. This time I just want you to get as close as you can. No pouncing, just keep quiet and see how close you can get, think you can do that?”

“Yeah, I can do that,” Sarabi said with a nod.

“Good, now come on, daylight's wasting,” Mrembo said with a smile, turning and leading the Lioness towards their next target.

~~~

Over the next few days, Sarabi continued to practice under Mrembo's guidance. She was getting better at not jumping too quickly, which was her main issue, and Mrembo even taught her some breathing exercises to help with her anger. Something her mother had taught her and her siblings to help when it came to running.

“Soon you're going to be hunting all on your own,” the Cheetah had half teased half commended after Sarabi's latest success, getting close enough to an impala to pull some hairs from its tail.

Sarabi had gotten a look in her eye, one of brazen confidence. And when Mrembo woke up the next morning... she was gone.

“Sarabi?” The Cheetah called out groggily, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. They'd had to camp out on the open savannah last night, so it was easy to look around and... she was nowhere in sight.

“Sarabi?” Mrembo called again. Still no response came. Had she... left?

... oh.

“Oh,” Mrembo said sadly, her ears falling flat. Of course she'd left. The Lioness could hunt on her own now... she had no need for the Cheetah anymore.

Mrembo pulled her knees to her chest. She was used to being alone. It was how she'd spent almost every day since her mother had left her. But... she scoffed.

“Did you really think it would be different?” She scolded herself. “You're better on your own anyway... no one to let you down.”

Even as she did her best to convince herself of that, she felt tears stinging her eyes. Had it all been a lie? Just some act the Lioness had put on? Sure they hadn't been best friends or anything but... they had been friends, right?

“Don't cry,” she huffed, wiping her eyes again. “You're a Cheetah. Cheetah's don't cry.”

She sighed, pushing herself to her feet. No use in sticking around here, she supposed, looking back the way they came... maybe she should just head back to Moyo.

She stopped. Was she really just going to leave? What if Sarabi hadn't abandoned her? What if she was in trouble?

Pacing the camp, she found the Lionesses footprints and, taking a deep breath, she followed them.

Part of her didn't want to believe that Sarabi would just abandon her like that, even if the more skeptical part of her told her it was exactly what a Lion would do.

She walked for a while until she saw something approaching her. Or someone, seeing as it walked on two legs. But it was weird looking, way wider at the shoulders than it should have been.

And as it got closer, she heard a familiar, and annoyed sounding, voice.

“Stupid... heavy... ugh, really should'a thought this through,” Sarabi muttered, not having noticed the Cheetah yet.

Walking forward, she saw the Lioness struggling with a zebra slung over her shoulders.

“... need some help?” Mrembo asked, not believing what she was seeing for a second.

“Gah!” Sarabi dropped the zebra, looking up at the Cheetah, Mrembo saw her face was covered with blood. “What the... dammit! You ruined the surprise.” The Lioness huffed.

“Surprise?” Mrembo asked, looking between Sarabi and the zebra.

“I... wanted to show you that your training paid off,” Sarabi muttered. “And... ya know, as a way to say thanks for everyth-”

She was cut off as the Cheetah rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the Lioness. Relief washing over her... and guilt. Sarabi had tried to do something nice for her and she'd immediately thought she'd abandoned her.

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“That's very sweet of you Sarabi,” Mrembo said, looking up at her with a smile.

The Lioness just rubbed the back of her head, before returning the hug. “I just... wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything... really.”

Mrembo chuckled. “Well... I appreciate it, now let me help you carry it back. Honestly you're gonna pull something one of these days.”

“Pfff, this is nothing, did you see some of those trees I was hucking back at the lake?” Sarabi smirked, the pair grabbing either end of the carcass as they lugged it back to camp.

“You know we're not going to be able to eat all of this,” Mrembo pointed out.

“Hey, you're always talking about wanting to save some leftovers,” Sarabi replied. “I figure we eat our fill and dry out as much as we can carry.”

“Heh, look at you, planning ahead,” Mrembo chuckled. “Keep this up and you're not gonna need me around anymore.”

“Don't say stuff like that,” Sarabi said, stopping and staring at the Cheetah. “Just cause I can hunt on my own doesn't mean I don't need your help... and regardless, it doesn't mean I don't want you around.”

“Sarabi...” Mrembo stared back at her for a second, not sure what to say. “Sorry,” She said after a long moment. “I'm sorry, I just... let's just get back to camp.”

“Yeah, okay,” Sarabi said with a nod. She wasn't sure what had gotten into the Cheetah but... well, maybe some food would help.

~~~

Breakfast was good, Mrembo having never had zebra before and Sarabi not having had it for months. But it was still awkward.

Sarabi wasn't sure why Mrembo was being so quiet or dodgy.

The Cheetah, meanwhile, couldn't get over her guilt. While Sarabi went about cutting up and preparing the remainder of the meat, or at least as much as they could carry, Mrembo offered to scout ahead. Their only direction still being ‘west’.

She did like to have some idea of what was ahead of them, and going for a run would hopefully help her clear her head.

‘Some friend you are,’ a voice mocked in the back of her mind. ‘She tries to do something nice for you and you think she abandoned you?’

“I just made a mistake,” Sarabi muttered to herself. The savannah rushed by her as she felt the wind running through her fur.

She didn't know why her first thought had been that Sarabi had abandoned her. There'd been plenty of other options. But that had been the first one to jump to her mind.

Maybe she was just so used to being on her own. It'd been years since she'd split ways with her mother and siblings, and her interactions with others in all that time... Sarabi was far and away the most, and the most positive.

Stopping as she came to a small grove of... what the hell were these?

She'd never seen trees like these. They were bigger than Acacia trees but unlike Baobabs they had a wide leafy canopy. The oddest thing about them was the... fruit? That hung from the branches was grayish-brown and oblong in shape, and they were all hanging from vines, some of the fruit were nearly as long as her arm.

“Strange...” she sniffed the air, her brow furrowing. And they smelled like... mice??

Moving slowly through the grove, she kept a lookout for anything, or anyone, that might live here. “Hello?” She called out, hearing and seeing nothing. “I'm not here to hurt anyone, my friend and I will just be passing through later...”

No response. Well, if anyone lived here, hopefully they'd stay as scarce when she and Sarabi passed through later today.

But as she turned, she did see one sign of habitation. There was a pile of the odd fruit, resting on the ground just to her right, between a couple of trees.

Weird place to keep food.

Approaching slowly, she kept her eyes up for any movement in the trees... then heard a crack beneath her.

She jumped as she felt the ground give out under her, scrambling forward as a thin layer of leaves and sticks collapsed into a sharp, spike filled pit.

She barely managed to grasp onto the edge of the pit, claws digging into the dirt as the trees erupted around here.

Jumping down, hooting and screeching, were a collection of... well, they looked like Mandrills. But their fur was black, and their faces were all plain. Much like Mandrills, it'd be difficult to tell them from whatever their cousins were, were it not for the leather clothing they wore... though unnervingly, several of them were wearing pelts from which the fur had not been removed, letting anyone who saw them know just what creatures they'd been taken from.

Unlike the Mandrills Mrembo knew, these creatures wielded strange tools. Sticks that had been sharpened to a point, or branches shaped into clubs and covered with spikes.

She knew Primates were good at making tools, but those looked a lot more dangerous than the knives and hammers she'd seen the Mandrills use.

Still though, she had no reason to think they'd be anything more than a little pissed that she'd sprung their trap.

“Hey!” She shouted. Her call, and the realization she hadn't fallen into the pit, putting a stop to their hollering. “I don't think I'm what you were looking for... a little help?”

The Primates, whatever they were, looked at each other, and one stepped forward, a grin on his face. Alarmingly, this one was wearing a pelt that could only have come from a Lion.

He reached a hand out, which Mrembo took, and as he squeezed her hand tightly... she realized too late that it was a predatory grin.

He swung with the weapon in his other hand, a sharp pain shooting through Mrembo as the club connected with her skull. Feeling him pull her up out of the pit and throw her over his shoulder as darkness took her.

~~~

“Where the hell is she?” Sarabi asked with a huff as she stood up.

Mrembo had been gone for a while, enough that the Lioness was starting to worry... especially with how she'd been acting this morning.

Sarabi had thought the Cheetah would've been excited and happy for her. Instead she'd been acting cagey right up until she left.

And now she wasn't back from her scouting. She'd never been gone this long before.

Sarabi couldn't help but think about what had happened with the Leopards.

“Spirits be damned,” Sarabi groaned, unable to push that thought aside now that it was in her mind. “I swear, if she’s just off sulking, I’m never doing the cooking again,” she muttered, having to leave most of the zebra leftovers behind as she headed in the direction she’d seen the Cheetah heading in.

Finding nothing for the longest time just made her more nervous. She knew that Mrembo wouldn't just run off on her, but there was nothing out here to distract her.

“Come on Mrembo, where are you?” Sarabi muttered, picking up her pace as she ran across the savannah. She knew she was no match for the Cheetah in sheer speed, but she could still book it when she needed to.

Soon, she spotted the first thing that broke up the monotony of the savannah. A grove of Sausage trees.

She'd never seen them before, but one of the older Lionesses had told her and the other cubs about them, teaching them about plants with medicinal properties. And the fruits that hung from the branches were unmistakable.

Making her way into the grove... something was off about this place. She was a Hunter, so she was used to things getting quiet whenever she passed by... but this place was deathly quiet.

She kept quiet as she looked around, not seeing hide nor hair of the Cheetah. Then she heard voices.

“Why do we always have to reset the pit?” One griped.

“Stop whining and help me get this done,” another replied, Sarabi sneaking around and spying two Primates of some kind laying a framework of twigs over an open pit. “The sooner we get this done the sooner we can get back.”

What were they doing?

“You think the chief is gonna cut into it right away?” The first asked.

“You kidding? That thing barely had any meat on its bones,” the other scoffed. “Sides, we've got a few others on the chopping block first.”

“Wonder who'll get the pelt though, those spots would look pretty nice,” the first chuckled.

Sarabi felt her blood begin to boil.

“Probably one of his...”

The two turned as the Lion leapt from her cover, the Chimps screeching and trying to run, only for Sarabi to pin them both by their throat.

“Where is she?” She asked coldly, holding one down with each hand, claws distended.

They both looked at each other, but neither of them spoke.

She lifted them up and held them over the spike filled pit.

“Where is she!?!” The Lioness roared, baring her teeth.

The first one shrieked, especially as he felt her claws digging into his flesh. “W-we don't-”

“Shush!” The second chided, glaring at the Lion. “We don't speak to prey.”

Sarabi's eyes went wide. To call a Hunter Prey was already offensive enough, but to refer to a person as prey...

She dropped him.

The other Chimp winced as a gurgled, choked cry came from the pit, he looked away... and right into the glaring eyes of the Lioness

“Choose your next words wisely... where is the Cheetah?”

~~~

Mrembo's head pulsed with pain as she came too, wincing and touching the side of her head.

Pulling her hand back... it was wet with blood.

That wasn't a good sign.

Woozily, she sat up, realizing she was in... what was this?

In her life, she'd stayed within a hollow tree a few times, so she recognized it as something made of wood but... it clearly wasn't natural.

On three of the sides, as well as the top and bottom, were wooden panels, while the front was made of wooden bars, with just enough space for an arm to reach through.

“Where am I?” She wondered aloud, thinking back to the moments before she'd blacked out... before the Primate had knocked her out.

Looking out between the bars, she saw a large area that had been clear cut of all foliage, save for a lone, bare Acacia tree. In which several of the Primates lounged, including the one who'd knocked her unconscious.

The entire area was surrounded by a barrier of wooden logs, and there was a large fire pit with a spit roast over it.

Seeing the one who assaulted her, Mrembo growled, grasping the bars. “Hey! What's the big idea here?!” She shouted, her sudden outburst causing something in the back of the cage to move.

She spun around quickly, ready to strike. But instead of an enemy, she found herself staring into the terrified faces of a pair of Hyena pups.

“Oh! It's alright,” Mrembo said, dropping her aggressive stance. “I'm not going to hurt you...”

They didn't respond, but as Mrembo felt a shadow fall over her, the pups squeezed even further back against the back of the cage.

Turning, Mrembo found herself face to face with one of the Primates, staring at her through the bars... and pointing one of the pointed sticks at her through them.

“Keep quiet prey,” he snarled. “It'll be your turn soon enough.”

“Exuse m-row!” She jumped back as he jabbed the spear at her, the Cheetah crouching low and growling.

“Heh, fuckin cats,” he chuckled as he walked off, feeling he'd gotten the point across.

Mrembo didn't move from her position as he left, not until a quiet voice spoke up from behind her.

“Th... they don't like it when we talk,” one of the pups warned. Her voice barely whispered.

“I can see that,” Mrembo muttered quietly. “What's going on here?”

The pups looked at each other as Mrembo sat back in the corner opposite them.

“My name's Mrembo,” she introduced herself.

“I-I'm Wema,” the girl spoke. “A-and this is Tunu.”

The boy nodded, seemingly too afraid to bring himself to speak.

“Lovely to meet you both,” Mrembo smiled gently at them. “Don't worry, I've dealt with worse than this. And I'm sure my friend will be here any minute to rescue us.”

Sarabi was never going to let her out of her sight after this.

“Th-they,” Wema sniffled. “The Chimps. They're doing things... w-we were out scavenging, with our mom and they jumped us...”

Tunu started crying, covering his face with his arms.

“Hey, hey, it's alright,” Mrembo assured them, moving closer to the pups. “Sarabi will get us all out of here... where's your mother?”

Wema teared up as she hugged her brother.

Oh... oh no.

“Oh Spirits, I... I'm so sorry,” Mrembo said. They had... but why would they leave the pups alive?

Her attention was drawn away from the cubs by the sound of horrified bleating.

Mrembo could see a few other cages from the limited view through her own. And she could see one of the Chimps pulling a young male Oryx from one, yanking him by the horns.

Several of the other Chimps screeched and cheered. And as they pulled the Oryx towards the spit roast, Mrembo felt her blood run cold.

“No... by the Spirits please no,” she muttered, watching in horror as the Oryx was flung down onto a stone slab stained with blood.

Two Chimps held him down as another approached with a sharpened blade of stone.

“No... no no no! Stop it!” Mrembo shouted, pulling at the bars of the cage. The pups whimpered behind her, but she had to do something!

She caught the eye of the Chimp who'd knocked her out, the one wearing a lion's pelt.

He smirked, before turning to the others... and giving a thumbs down.

Mrembo turned her eyes to the Oryx, just as he, in desperation, looked in her direction.

The Cheetah's emerald green eyes were the last thing he saw, the dagger drawing across his neck an instant later. Blood draining from him as life drained from his face.

Mrembo's breathing picked up, and her heart pounded as hard as it did when she pushed herself to her very limit.

Slinking back against the back of the cage, she grabbed the pups, pulling them close and holding them tightly as they cried.

“It's okay,” she said, her voice cold and emotionless as she stared ahead at the macabre scene. “Sarabi is coming.”

In his tree, the chief licked his lips.

~~~

Sarabi glared ahead at the massive wooden camp the Chimp had led her to. According to him, Mrembo would be in there.

She swore, after this, she was never letting that Cheetah out of her sight!

“Alright, how do I get in?” Sarabi asked, ducking back into the grass and looking at the Primate whom she still held by the wrist.

He looked very nervous. “Y-you don't,” he replied. “The only p-others who get brought in are ones brought by hunting parties.”

She looked at it again. It was surrounded almost entirely by a fence made of sharpened logs that had been stuck into the ground. But there was an opening where the Chimps could come and go.

This wasn't going to be easy, but the sun was beginning its descent, and she had to hope Mrembo could hold out a little while longer.

That just left one thing to deal with. “So,” Sarabi said, glaring at her captive. “You got me where I needed to go... but I can't exactly just let you leave,” she said coldly.

“I-I swear I won't tell anyone,” he begged. “Just let me go and I'll run the other way.”

Sarabi glared at him, taking a deep breath before speaking. “Growing up I was taught that you should only harm another if they mean you or the pride harm.”

She let go of his wrist.

The Chimp sighed in relief. She'd believed him! He could run off, go and-

A clawed hand went to his throat, and a choked scream was caught there as he was shoved to the ground, the Lioness on top of him.

“Mrembo's not in my pride... but she might as well be,” she glared coldly at him as she squeezed, feeling his windpipe collapse. “I'm sorry, but I just can't take the risk.”

With one fluid motion, she lifted his neck and bit down. Everything about it was so familiar, the feeling of it breaking in her jaws, the snapping, cracking sound it made... the taste of blood.

She dropped the now lifeless Primate and pulled back, spitting the blood from her mouth.

She hoped the Spirits would forgive her for this. Though she had a feeling that these Primates had done far worse.

~~~

Sitting back in the cage, the cubs at her side, Mrembo watched the Chimps work as the sun slowly began to set. As darkness set in, they began to light fires around the camp.

More fires anyway, aside from the... she did her best not to look at the cooking fire.

About an hour ago, they tossed some meat into the cage. But Mrembo had refused to touch it and, not wanting to leave her side, the pups hadn't moved to grab it either. Though she could tell from the occasional rumble from their stomachs they were very hungry.

She wondered how long they had been there... she wondered if they'd seen what had happened to their mother.

Looking through the bars, she saw the... feast, was finally coming to an end.

And she saw the one who had knocked her out. The Chief, she was pretty sure, approaching the cages.

Approaching her cage.

“Stay behind me,” she said quietly, moving the pups behind her and sitting forward on the balls of her feet.

He stopped at the bars of the cage and glared. “You know, I really thought you'd be more grateful than those little runts.” He sighed, looking at the untouched meat.

Mrembo just snarled at him. His accent was... strange. Like he hadn't grown up on the savannah at all.

“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue?” He asked with a smirk.

“I don't talk to monsters,” Mrembo said defiantly.

The Chimp slammed the top of the cage, making the pups flinch and whimper.

“It's about time you all learned some damn respect,” he glared at the Cheetah. “You know my parents were killed by things like you. Sure they didn't talk, but you're all the same. It was only because of some Outsiders I survived, not you animals.”

Outsiders? She'd heard about them, beings from outside the savannah, who didn't have cousins as far as they knew. Who didn't have a natural place.

That explained the accent. “They gave me my name, and taught me how things should be,” he gloated.

“So what? Some hunter killed your family so you've got a vendetta?” Mrembo scoffed. “Then why kill that Oryx?”

“Because if you're going to be on top,” he said, standing to his full height. “You can't make exceptions, you're all going to learn that your place is beneath us.”

“Someone will stop you,” Mrembo stated. “Maybe not me, but someone.”

“Heh... foolish cat,” he smirked. “Soon all shall learn to fear the name Caesar!”

Suddenly a scream pierced the darkness, followed quickly by another.

“Caesar!” One of the lookouts shrieked. “Something at the entrance! Eyes! Eyes in the dar-”

They were cut off as the dead body of one of the guards was chucked at them, knocking them to the ground.

That seemed like as good a signal as Mrembo was going to get.

She'd checked the cage earlier, and it seemed like it opened from the top. So, once Caesar had spun around, beginning to shout orders, she fell back, aimed her feet upwards, and kicked as hard as she could.

There was a cracking of wood, and the heavy wooden gate fell forward, flattening Caesar as it caught him off guard.

“Time to go kids,” Mrembo said, scooping up the pups before rushing out of the cage.

“Stop them!” Caesar shouted, pushing out from under the door to the cage.

Many of the Chimps had already taken up arms, most moving towards the entrance to camp, but several were now looking in Mrembo’s direction.

Running to one of the nearby cages, one of the few that was still locked, she kicked the latch at the top, then jumped back with a yelp as a leopard pounced out.

The cat snarled at her before turning to run, meeting the rushing Chimps with claws and teeth.

Okay, maybe no more cages.

Jumping out of the way of a spear thrown in her direction... she had to get the pups out of here.

She ran towards the entrance, ducking and weaving between weapons. She was almost there when she felt a knife cut deep into her side. Wincing, she grit her teeth and pushed on.

Stopping just outside the camp, she set the pups down. “Go, hide, I'll find you after.” She said, smiling at them as she cupped their cheeks.

Wema nodded, taking her brother by the hand and rushing off into the grass.

Mrembo turned in time to see another spear chucked in her direction.

This one she caught midair. The tip inches from her face.

She snapped it over her knee. Spinning the two halves in her hands as she rushed back into the camp. Towards the large throng of Chimps surrounding... well, she assumed it was Sarabi based on the roaring.

The Lioness had missed the Cheetah in all the commotion, she was currently surrounded by Chimps on all sides.

They had her outnumbered and surrounded... but they were still nervous. Even with spears. The last one that had tried to jab her had gotten yanked into her grasp and had his head slammed into her knee.

They hadn’t had time to check if he was still breathing or not after he'd dropped.

“What're you waiting for?!” Caesar shouted, marching to join the fray after having finally dealt with the leopard.

Urged on by their leader, one of the Chimps rushed forward, wielding a dagger. He got a slice on her upper arm, before the Lioness grabbed him and threw him.

He not only impacted the fence with a loud crack, but the impact knocked one of the torches loose. The orange glow of fire beginning to grow as the dry, trampled grass around the fence caught fire.

“Raaah! Idiots!” Caesar shouted, grabbing a gnarly looking spiked club and pushing one of the other Chimps out of the way. “It's your lucky day cat, I could use a new pe-GAH!”

Mrembo leapt from behind him, spinning and kicking him square in the jaw and knocking him to the ground before landing, somewhat wobbly, next to Sarabi.

The two Cats looked at each other and smiled, but the reunion would have to wait.

Pushing himself up from the ground and shaking off the kick, Caesar screeched, and the rest of the Chimps closed in.

Mrembo and Sarabi stood back to back. The Lioness making powerful, deadly swipes whenever they got to close, often grabbing them and chucking them towards the growing fire, while the Cheetah was a flurry of movement, able to dodge or deflect most attacks that came her way, while any Chimp that got within range was beaten with a hailstorm of punches that often left them unable to act if it didn't kill them outright.

Still, the Cats weren't invincible, the spears were especially effective until they could manage to rest them away from their wielders.

Soon though, the Cats, bloodied and bruised, stood before the remaining Chimps. Some seemed to have fled, and of the dozen or so fighters, only three were left standing.

Along with Caesar.

“ENOUGH!” Caesar screamed at the top of his lungs, ignoring the fire that was engulfing the camp as he strode forward. “You think you've won?! This is only a setback!”

He swung with his wicked spiked club, and Mrembo stepped in front of Sarabi, deflecting the brunt of the attack, though she could feel it dig into her arms.

“I don’t know who the FUCK you are!” Sarabi shouted, leaping over Mrembo and scratching down Caesar’s chest. “But no one hurts my friend!”

“Gah!” Caesar stumbled back, four large bloody claw marks now torn into his chest, his Lion pelt falling away. “Raaah!” He ran forward, club raised, swinging and bashing Sarabi in the side with it, knocking the Lioness to the side. “You’ll make a fine replacement!”

“Don’t you touch her!” Mrembo hissed, racing forward, spinning the spear halves she’d taken, she tossed one. The Chimp dodged it, but she proceeded to close with him, slamming her fists into his chest several times.

She tried to retreat, but he grabbed her leg with one of his dexterous feet, hitting her with an upper cut and looming over her with his club. “You think you’ve changed anything?” He asked tauntingly. “This little... distraction ends here. And I won’t stop until every. Single. One of you-Hrrk!”

He was cut off, letting out a strangled gasp as the pointed tip of a spear pierced through his back and out his chest. “You should talk less,” Sarabi said with a growl, leaning forward from behind him, a smirk on her face.

Mrembo jumped to her feet, rushing forward, the other spear half in her hand as she slammed it into his chest, the Chimp letting out one last gasp as she jammed it into his heart.

The two cats stepped back from the Chimp, watching him stumble before he collapsed onto the ground. Panting, they looked at each other, both bloodied and bruised as the fire began to rage around them.

Wordlessly, they rushed out of the burning compound, leaving whatever Chimps remained to either scatter... or burn.

Stopping a ways away, Mrembo started looking around for the pups, before Sarabi grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug. The Cheetah wincing as pain shot through her side.

“You are never leaving my sight again,” the Lion said quietly, trying to hold back tears.

“Sorry... I’m sorry,” Mrembo panted, leaning against the Lioness. “Thank you... thank you.”

“Hey, what’re friends for?” Sarabi asked, smirking as she let go of the Cheetah. “Come on, let’s get outta here.”

“Wait...” Mrembo said, her breathing sounding shallow. “The... the pups... Wema! Tunu! It’s safe! I promise!”

It took a moment before the grass rustled, and the two Hyena pups stepped out, taking a cautious step forward as they eyed the Lioness.

“I told you... my friend would come...” Mrembo panted, stepping towards them and falling to her knees.

“Mrembo? What’s wrong?” Sarabi asked, moving to her side and touching her shoulder.

Moving her hand away from her side, where the dagger had cut her early in the fight, Mrembo saw her hand soaked with rich red blood. It had cut deep.

She fell forward again, Sarabi catching her. “Hey, hey, stay with me,” Sarabi said, scooping the Cheetah into her arms. The Lioness only knew the basics of first-aid, and that was a nasty cut from a weapon she’d never seen before. “We have to stop the bleeding,” she looked back at the burning fire, she knew she could cauterize a wound but if the cut was too deep...

“O-our pack has a healer,” Wema spoke up.

“Are they far? Can you take us there?” Sarabi asked, panic growing in her voice.

Wema looked at her brother, before raising her head and letting out a long, whooping howl. They listened for a second, before a response came in the distance.

“Come on,” Sarabi scooped the pups up, cradling Mrembo in one arm and the pups in the other as she ran in the direction of the howl.

“Sarabi,” Mrembo muttered blearily. “I... I’m sorry... I thought you left,” the Cheetah apologized. “I-I didn’t...”

“Hey, you can apologize later... just hold on, okay?” Sarabi said, not liking the finality in her voice.

Rushing through the darkness, Wema occasionally giving another howl, Sarabi changing direction whenever the response came, eventually she saw a small fire ahead. And the telltale eye shine of several Hunters.

Sarabi had never encountered Hyenas before, though she knew they lived and hunted in groups, like her pride.

“Lion! Halt and... by the Spirits, Jasiri!” One of them turned as a younger female rushed forward.

“Mama!” Tunu gasped, he and Wema jumping from Sarabi’s arms and rushing forward into their mother's arms, several other pack members hugging the pups as well.

“Please...” Sarabi interrupted the reunion, stepping forward. “She needs help...”

“Good... they’re home...” Mrembo mumbled, looking and smiling at the reunion before Sarabi felt the Cheetah go limp in her arms.

“Mrembo!” Sarabi shouted, looking down at her. The Lion's amber eyes meeting the Cheetah’s emerald ones before they fluttered close.

The last thought on the Cheetah’s mind was how beautiful they looked, and how sad it was to see them full of tears.