Rinja's Missing Pieces Contest- Part 2

The sun was just starting to set and I was lying on the edge of the gorge. From here, I could see the cave I had planned to explore with Kipendo on the other side of the great divide; a cave that I would probably never explore now. The majority of my anger had passed now, and I was finally able to go over the encounter without an anger-fueled mind.

Was I so wrong to have gotten upset? He did call the Spirit Lands his “homeland”, and that really hurt after all the time our pride put into making him part of our family; after all the time I’VE spent with him. But if I was being honest with myself, that was the only thing he has said wrong; and I knew he really didn’t feel that way. THIS is his true home.

So in being honest with myself, I realized that most of what happened was my fault. I had let my temper get the best of me, and I had allowed idle gossip to create fear and doubt in my mind. So now, because of this, I might have just driven away my only real friend.

Grieved and ashamed at my actions, I stood up, determined to find Kipendo to apologize and ask for him to stay. Turning around to go find him I finally noticed that a herd of zebra were stampeding toward me. I was so lost in my thoughts that I had been oblivious to the sound of the approaching herd, and now it was too late to avoid the oncoming herd.

Quickly pivoting away from the sea of black and white stripes, I ran along the cliffs edge as fast as I could, trying to avoid the numerous pounding hooves from trampling me. In the distance, I could see a large pile of boulders at the cliffs edge. If I could just make it there, then I would be safe. The rocks would provide a place to hide where the zebra would have to go around.

I was growing tired from running, and my paced slowed some. The herd grew nearer but I was almost to the rocky pile. I was just jumping behind the rocks to safety when one of the zebra’s ran into me. The added energy from the impact caused me to overshoot my target and I sailed over the precipice. The ground seemed so far away and true panic set in at the sight. Quickly turning my body around mid-air, I reached for the edge quickly racing away from me. I just barely managed to grab the ledge and the force of my falling body made small cuts into my paw pads; my claws digging into the ground to try and support my weight.

I waited for the sound of the zebra to pass until I tried to climb up, but the angle of the cliff face combined with the exhaustion of running proved to be too much for me to overcome alone. It was all I could do to just hang on and I feared I would lose my grip and fall before help came. In the dying echoes of the receding herd, I called out for help. I only had to hold on for a few minutes before I heard the sound of someone running to my aid. Looking up, I saw the white head of a very welcome face look down at me with fear. Quickly, Kipendo carefully balanced himself on the edge and reached down to lift me up. Scrambling, I help climb as best I could until I was finally back on solid ground. Collapsing from exhaustion, we both sat there for a few moments, relieved.

“I thought you were leaving” I finally said.

“I couldn’t really do that, I just said that because you made me mad.” He replied. “But I’m sorry if I hurt you; I shouldn’t have said that or called the Spirit Lands my homeland. You’re right, this is where I belong. It was a mistake.”

“Oh Kipendo…” I sighed. “I should be the one apologizing. I let my temper get out of control and over-reacted. You were right, I WAS being irrational. I’m just glad I didn’t lose you because of it.”

“Uru, there’s nothing you could do to make me leave for long.” Kipendo said firmly. “I will always come back because…well…because I-I love you Uru.”

His admission caught me completely off guard and left me totally speechless. He watched my reaction and after a few stunned moments he smiled and broke the silence.

“So where’s this cave you spoke of?” He inquired. “It’s not too late to explore it, is it?”

Glad for the change of subject, I smiled and got up.

“You know, it’s going to be dark soon.” I warned.

“Perfect.” He said with a mischievous grin. “It’ll make it creepier.”

Grinning, I turned and led him away towards the cave.

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So here we discover how much I love irony. We revisit the gorge, AGAIN, plus the zebra herd is also very ironic (If Rinja keeps how Uru dies the same that is XD). I swear, that gorge could be an assassin if it wanted to and make a whole bunch of money off the kills it makes. XD But anyway, Uru finally realizes how silly she’s been and we finally get our first admission of love! Huzzah!! Also, ignore how awkward Uru and Kip look in the picture, especially Uru. X3 It doesn’t look quite right to me. Lolz